Deutsche Bahn activates Europe’s first commercial rail 5G network
Nokia and Deutsche Bahn have launched Europe’s first commercial 1900 MHz 5G network for rail, deployed on live trains at DB’s Ore Mountains test site. The milestone demonstrates that the Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS) is moving from pilots to operational readiness.
The network uses spectrum specifically reserved for European railways and is built on a standalone 5G core, ensuring high reliability without dependence on 4G. According to DB, the system’s redundancy and failover functions are designed to meet the safety requirements of train control communications.
FRMCS is set to replace the current GSM-R network, which will no longer be supported after 2030 and is due for full shutdown by 2035. The new system will enable applications not possible today, including real-time video transmission, predictive maintenance and the continuous train positioning needed for ERTMS Level 3 moving block operations.
“This commercial deployment shows FRMCS is ready for the next stage of migration,” DB said in a statement.
EU coordination is underway through the FP2-MORANE-2 programme, while member states are beginning national projects. Spain’s Adif has launched EUR 6.8 million in pilot tenders, and France’s SNCF Réseau is upgrading its core network. The European Union Agency for Railways estimates that several billion euros will be required for full deployment across Europe.
The German launch provides a reference case as infrastructure managers weigh migration costs against the operational benefits of a unified 5G system.