Nokia and Deutsche Bahn (DB) have activated the world’s first 1900 MHz (n101) 5G radio network on live test tracks in Germany, advancing the Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS). The deployment uses Nokia’s commercial 5G Standalone (SA) core and AirScale radio equipment to provide mission-critical, real-time communications between trains and infrastructure. Running on spectrum dedicated to railway use in Europe, the solution is designed to support automation, smart maintenance, and intelligent stations while enabling the migration from legacy GSM-R systems.
The deployment is operating at DB’s digital railway test site in the Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge), with live trains running over the system. Nokia’s platform integrates built-in failover, self-healing, and real-time monitoring to meet the high availability requirements of rail networks. The solution will also play a role in the European FP2-MORANE-2 project, which extends earlier FRMCS trials aimed at modernizing rail communications across Europe.
This step builds on DB and Nokia’s earlier 5G trials using the 3700 MHz (n78) band and extends testing with the newly dedicated 1900 MHz spectrum. The partners expect the system to become the foundation for future FRMCS rollouts across DB’s network.
• Nokia and Deutsche Bahn deployed the first commercial 1900 MHz (n101) 5G network for rail communications
• Supports FRMCS migration from legacy GSM-R to modern 5G-based operations
• Live testing underway on DB’s digital railway test field in the Ore Mountains, Germany
• Technology includes Nokia AirScale radios, optimized 5G SA core, and high-availability features
• Deployment to contribute to European FP2-MORANE-2 rail digitalization project
“Collaborating with technology experts like Nokia is key for DB to bring the latest innovations into our real-world operations,” said Rainer Fachinger, Head of Telecom Platforms at DB InfraGO.
🌐 Analysis: This deployment positions DB and Nokia at the forefront of Europe’s FRMCS transition, establishing a benchmark for railway operators worldwide. With GSM-R nearing end of life, rail companies are accelerating the shift to 5G-based communications to handle automation, safety, and passenger-facing applications. Rival vendors including Ericsson and Huawei are also competing for FRMCS deployments, but Nokia’s early field trials give it a first-mover advantage in shaping the standard.
