Ericsson to demonstrate FRMCS 5G railway rollout at InnoTrans 2026

At the InnoTrans 2026 trade fair in Berlin, Ericsson will demonstrate the transition from the aging GSM-R system to the 5G-based Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS). The showcase aims to provide railway operators with a practical roadmap for migration, covering everything from radio network planning and coverage verification to device interoperability and field testing.

The demonstration integrates findings from the FP2-MORANE-2 European program, which is currently validating FRMCS connectivity, GSM-R interworking, and multi-vendor interoperability in integration laboratories. These efforts are designed to establish the necessary specifications for future European deployment. Practical testing of FRMCS feasibility was previously conducted in Germany in July 2026 in collaboration with DB InfraGO.

While Europe leads the transition, interest in next-generation railway communications is expanding globally. Ericsson is involved in significant projects such as the deployment of a 5G-enabled Digital Radio System in Queensland, Australia, as part of the Wave infrastructure program. Similar opportunities for advanced rail communication are also emerging in markets like India.