The European railway sector is replacing GSM-R with the Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS). The International Union of Railways (UIC) will develop the FRMCS V3 specifications for inclusion in a new CCS-TSI by 2027. The EU-funded FP2-MORANE-2 project will pave the way for the deployment of FRMCS in Europe, following the path set by its predecessor, MORANE, for GSM-R. FP2-MORANE-2 is focusing on the validation and large-scale demonstration of the Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS) as the successor to GSM-R. Involving 13 European railways, the project will conduct tests in laboratories operated by Ericsson, Nokia, and Kontron, followed by field trials on lines managed by ADIF (conventional and High Speed Line), DB, TRAFIKVERKET in collaboration with TELIA, and PRORAIL in collaboration with KPN. This initiative builds on previous FRMCS efforts and aims to enhance the digitalisation of EU train operations.
The expected impacts are both strategic and systemic. At scale, the project contributes to enhanced resilience of European systems, reduced external dependencies, increased innovation capacity, and improved cross-border cooperation. By enabling faster adoption of advanced technologies and fostering collaboration between industry, research institutions, public authorities, and civil society, FP-2 MORANE-2 supports the EU’s long-term strategic objectives in security, sustainability, and digital transformation.