Nokia & DB Deploy World’s First Commercial 1900 MHz 5G Radio Network in Germany

Nokia and Deutsche Bahn (DB) have announced the successful deployment of the world’s first commercial 1900 MHz (n101) 5G radio network solution with a 5G Standalone (SA) core.

The network is now running on live outdoor test tracks at DB’s digital railway test field in the Ore Mountains in Erzgebirge, Germany.

Key features of the network include built-in failover, self-healing capabilities and real-time monitoring capabilities.

The solution is set to be used for the European FP2-MORANE-2 project, an evolution of earlier FRMCS initiatives to accelerate the digitalisation of rail across Europe.

The network test is expected to serve as a basis for the Future Railway Communication System (FRMCS), which will, in time, replace the current Global System for Mobile Communications for Railway (GSM-R) in widespread use.

Rolf Werner, Head of Europe at Nokia, said:

Nokia and DB have been frontrunners in advancing FRMCS. We are proud to deliver the first-ever commercial 5G solution that utilizes the 1900 MHz spectrum band on the rail track. 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 DB’s ongoing trials testing Nokia’s 5G SA Core and 3700 MHz (n78) radio network, whilst still upgrading to a new solution that includes Nokia’s 1900 MHz (n101) 5G radio network equipment from its AirScale portfolio and optimized 5G SA core.