Nokia and Deutsche Bahn launch first 1900 MHz 5G commercial railway network to accelerate FRMCS adoption

DB Test Track in Erzgebirge, Germany. Photo Credit: Copyright Deutsche Bahn

(IN BRIEF) Nokia and Deutsche Bahn have launched the world’s first commercial 1900 MHz 5G radio network with a 5G Standalone core on live outdoor railway test tracks in Germany. The deployment marks a milestone in the transition from GSM-R to the Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS), providing mission-critical connectivity for real-time train and infrastructure communication. Running at DB’s test site in the Ore Mountains, the solution includes failover, self-healing, and monitoring features and will support the European FP2-MORANE-2 project. Designed for automation, intelligent infrastructure, and future-proof operations, the system demonstrates how 5G will transform railways across Europe and globally.

(PRESS RELEASE) ESPOO, 16-Sep-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Nokia and Deutsche Bahn (DB), Germany’s national railway operator, have successfully launched the first-ever commercial 1900 MHz (n101) 5G radio network solution with a 5G Standalone (SA) core running on live outdoor test tracks. This breakthrough provides a critical step toward the Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS), the 5G-based successor to GSM-R, designed to deliver mission-critical connectivity for safer, more efficient, and digitally advanced railway operations.

The deployment builds on a series of pre-FRMCS trials and marks a milestone in the migration of the railway sector to modern 5G technology. Operating on the frequency band reserved for railway communications in Europe, the solution is tailored to meet FRMCS specifications and fully supports the demanding requirements of real-time, secure communications between trains and infrastructure.

FRMCS is central to the railway industry’s digital transformation, enabling automation, predictive maintenance, intelligent infrastructure, and optimized passenger services. With integrated support for artificial intelligence and ultra-reliable, low-latency communications, it will underpin a more sustainable and competitive rail sector across Europe and beyond.

Rainer Fachinger, Head of Telecom Platforms at DB InfraGO, said: “Deutsche Bahn is committed to upgrading its railway communications infrastructure with the most advanced technology available. Working alongside Nokia allows us to incorporate 5G innovations into real-world operations. This deployment builds on our earlier pre-FRMCS trials and is a key step toward creating a standardized private mobile network that will support future pilots and nationwide rollout.”

Rolf Werner, Head of Europe at Nokia, added: “Together with Deutsche Bahn, we are proud to deliver the world’s first commercial 5G railway solution using the 1900 MHz spectrum. This milestone paves the way for automated train operations, smart maintenance, and intelligent infrastructure. It sets an important precedent for FRMCS upgrades that will guide the railway industry globally in the years ahead.”

The solution, deployed at DB’s digital railway test site in Germany’s Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge), is already running on live trains. It features built-in failover, self-healing capabilities, and real-time monitoring to ensure resilient and efficient performance. The deployment will also contribute to the European FP2-MORANE-2 project, a key initiative in advancing the digitalization of rail systems across the continent.

The new contract extends DB’s ongoing trials with Nokia’s 5G SA core and 3700 MHz (n78) radio network, adding the AirScale-based 1900 MHz (n101) equipment optimized for FRMCS migration. This combination delivers the reliability, high availability, and low latency essential for future-proof railway communication systems.

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SOURCE: Nokia