1900 MHz 5G radio network deployed on Deutsche Bahn test track

Nokia and Deutsche Bahn (DB), Germany’s national railway company, say they have deployed the world’s first commercial 1900 MHz (n101) 5G radio network solution with a 5G Standalone (SA) core, running on live outdoor test tracks. This breakthrough positions DB to leverage a modern mobile network on a frequency band dedicated to 5G railway communications in Europe. It also serves as a basis for the Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS), supporting resilient, efficient and sustainable rail operations through greater digitalisation, capacity and service reliability.

The deployment marks a significant step in the railway industry’s transition from the legacy Global System for Mobile Communications for Railway (GSM-R) to the 5G-based FRMCS standard designed for real-time, mission-critical communications between infrastructure and trains. Built to support full railway automation, FRMCS integrates advanced technologies like AI and underpins a more competitive, capable and future-ready industry.

“Deutsche Bahn wants to benefit from modern 5G-based telecommunications to upgrade the railway communication infrastructure,” said Rainer Fachinger, Head of Telecom Platforms at DB InfraGO. “Collaborating with technology experts like Nokia is key for DB to bring the latest innovations into our real-world operations. This deployment on test tracks builds on a successful pre-FRMCS 5G trial conducted with Nokia and aims to standardise our private mobile network as a foundation for further pilots and future rollout.”

The technology is being implemented at DB’s digital railway test field in Germany’s Ore Mountains, running on live trains. Key features include built-in failover, self-healing capabilities and real-time monitoring to ensure high availability and efficiency. The solution will also be used for the European FP2-MORANE-2 project, which evolves from earlier FRMCS initiatives to advance the digitalisation of rail across Europe.

“We are proud to deliver the first ever commercial 5G solution that utilises the 1900 MHz spectrum band on the rail track,” said Rolf Werner, Head of Europe at Nokia. “This is a milestone that will unlock key benefits for DB, including automated train operations, smart maintenance, and intelligent infrastructure and stations. We believe this launch will serve as an important benchmark for FRMCS upgrades in rail networks around the world in the coming years.”

The contract extends Deutsche Bahn’s ongoing test trials with Nokia’s 5G SA core and 3700 MHz (n78) radio network, while upgrading to a new solution that includes Nokia’s 1900 MHz (n101) 5G radio network equipment from its AirScale portfolio and optimised 5G SA core. Designed for a smooth migration from GSM-R to FRMCS, it delivers the low latency needed for modern rails.

Image caption: DB test track in Erzgebirge, Germany. Image ©Deutsche Bahn.