SUPPORT TO THE EUROPEAN FRMCS DEPLOYMENT GROUP

Expected Outcome:

To facilitate the smooth deployment of innovations and architectures, EU-RAIL has set-up a High-Level Deployment Group. This Group established in 2024 a dedicated FRMCS Deployment Subgroup to focus specifically on FRMCS future deployment activities, drawing upon insights and results from the sector plans, activities as well as EU-Rail test and demonstration initiatives.

The current railway telecommunications system, GSM-R, is based on 3GPP 2G technology and is rapidly becoming obsolete. Railway telecommunications manufacturers have indicated that GSM-R networks, components, and technical support will begin to phase out from 2030 onwards. The CCS TSI 2023 sets a specific implementation rule that there is a minimum notification period of 5 years to turn off GSM-R on a specific track. In recent years, the railway sector has been actively engaged in the development of a new telecommunications system. This new system is mission-critical to ensuring the safe operation of railways. While it will continue to support current functionalities such as voice and data transmission, it will also introduce new capabilities essential for future applications. .

Following the (still ongoing) development of functional and system requirements, EU-RAIL launched a test and demonstrator programme through the EU-RAIL Flagship Project FP2- MORANE2 (GA number: 101196125), which is dedicated to the execution of both lab and field testing to validate the FRMCS specifications.

EU-RAIL System Pillar, will produce an updated report, with commitment of the whole Railway sector, including scope of the FRMCS specifications that will be integrated in TSI and used by the sector to procure/develop the related solutions.

The EU-RAIL FRMCS deployment subgroup is tasked with addressing broader issues related to FRMCS future deployment and implementation. The urgency stems from the railway sector's view that the future availability of telecommunications presents a high-risk challenge. As a result, the sector strongly prioritizes the timely introduction of new 5G-based technology. This should be achieved within the shortest possible timeframe for upgrading existing equipment, while adhering to a European-level synchronisation strategy, taking into account both operational limitations and the individual starting positions of each Member State

The coordination and supporting action of the project stemming from this topic shall :

• Provide support for the activities of the European FRMCS Deployment Group, ensuring well-organised planning, effective execution, and continuous monitoring of all actions related to deployment.
• More specifically, support the EU-RAIL FRMCS deployment subgroup on the :
  • Analysis of (current) Infrastructure, rolling stock, industry and workshop capacity for (fast, easy and cost effective) deployment. Estimate necessary capacities
  • Definition of sound and acceptable solutions for the acceleration and simplification of authorisation,
  • Delivery of cost analyses, CBA and risk assessments
  • Development of toolbox with diverse migration scenario’s (greenfield and brownfield situations)
  • Delivery of analyses of plans/installations of currently dedicated –not aligned- cross-border connection interfaces and of public-private mobile networks interfaces
  • Alignment with other major rail upcoming investments for EU system programmes and cooperation with stakeholders

Scope:

The coordination and supporting actions of the project stemming from this topic shall deliver the following:

1. Programme Management Office (PMO) Functions
   • Set up and operate a central coordination function to oversee timelines, dependencies, and progress across planning of FRMCS future deployment activities.
2. Capacity Mapping & Planning Analysis
   • Develop and distribute sector-wide surveys (by sending out questionnaires) to gather data on deployment plans, readiness, and capacity. Analyse responses and identify gaps and challenges across Member States and cross-border situations.
3. Independent Cost and Time Driver Study
   • Conduct a study to assess cost structures and investment drivers relevant to FRMCS implementation across different operational contexts (in particular on-board assets).
   • Conduct relevant Cost Business Analyses.. Analyse main factors that determine the required rollout timeline and measures to optimise those.
4. Stakeholder Management
   • Facilitate cooperation among rail and telecom stakeholders, as well as with relevant associations.
5. Communication & Dissemination
   • Support targeted communications for the FRMCS Deployment Group and Organise outreach and engagement with the broader sector to raise awareness and share developments.
6. Deployment Guidelines Toolbox
   • Support the development a non-binding set of practical guidelines and migration scenarios to support railway undertakings and infrastructure managers in their transition to FRMCS.
7. Expertise & Technical Support
   • Provide subject-matter expertise on key domains including, but not exclusive: System authorisation, Cybersecurity, RAMS (Reliability, Availability, Maintainability, and Safety)
8. European Deployment Dashboard
   • Support the establishment and maintenance an online dashboard to: Report on deployment readiness and progress and rack national initiatives and alignment with European goals
9. Knowledge Sharing and Acceleration
   • Gather and share test results, best practices, and lessons learned and promote early implementation and innovation in FRMCS assets.
10. Risk & Deviation Management
    • Support the development of frameworks for identifying, reporting, and mitigating risks and deviations across the deployment chain.
11. Develop market readiness
    • Support the identification of measures needed to be address by the market for ensure a swift FRMCS deployment. This activity should be framed in the context of the anticipated short time frame to conduct the migration from GSM-R to FRMCS that may lead to a high demand on scarce resources in different fields.

The coordination and supporting actions will support measure aimed at ensuring that the future FRMCS deployment will progress smoothly, consistently, and efficiently across Europe—aligning sector-wide objectives, addressing operational and financial risks, and laying the foundation for the future of digital railway telecommunications.

Interaction with the Flagship Area 2, System Pillar and Deployment Group

The action to be funded under this topic shall foresee strong interaction with and support to the EU-RAIL High-Level and its FRMCS Deployment Subgroup.

The action to be funded under this topic shall foresee strong interaction with the projects included in the Flagship Area 2.

The action to be funded under this topic shall exchange regularly with the EU-RAIL System Pillar especially on the interface between the System Pillar Task 2 activities and the EU-RAIL FRMCS Deployment Subgroup.