Photo: SBB
To enable trains to operate across borders, the existing GSM-R railway radio technology is to be replaced EU-wide by FRMCS (Future Railway Mobile Communication System, via 5G) from the mid-2030s onwards. SBB is testing cooperation with regular mobile network operators between Bern and Thun.
The railway relies on highly available radio communication. This is used, among other things, for monitoring and controlling trains from operations centers. Regulatory requirements obligate SBB, as the system operator, to replace GSM-R with the future European standard. To utilize the future railway radio system, SBB must upgrade some of its existing antenna sites along the railway corridor. Furthermore, there will be more antenna sites than currently used with GSM-R, as the radio signal range of FRMCS is shorter due to its higher frequency (1.9 GHz), necessitating several years of parallel operation of both networks.
Between Bern and Thun, SBB is testing cooperation with mobile network operators as part of the upgrade to the future railway radio system, which could then be extended to other routes. In addition to railway radio, the aim is to further improve mobile network coverage for railway operations and customers, ensuring that customer needs can be met in the future. SBB and mobile network operators want to use existing synergies and select the best possible joint antenna locations.
The railway radio system itself is used exclusively for railway operations. Passengers cannot use it to make phone calls or browse the internet. However, good mobile network coverage is a fundamental requirement for SBB to further expand its digital services. Both SBB and mobile network operators are working to improve the performance of connections on and off the train, for example, through mobile-signal-permeable windows, signal boosters, and better coverage along the routes. On the train, so-called beacons (Bluetooth Low Energy transmitters) provide the technological basis for customer services such as free internet access (SBB Freesurf) or SBB Inclusive for people with visual and hearing impairments.
www.sbb.ch
