19th December 2024: SNS Telecom & IT's latest research report indicates that cumulative spending on FRMCS (Future Railway Mobile Communication System)-ready 5G and LTE networks will reach $1.2 Billion between 2024 and 2027. 

Private 5G and 4G LTE cellular networks – also referred to as NPNs (Non-Public Networks) in 3GPP terminology – are rapidly gaining popularity across a diverse range of vertical industries. The railways industry is no exception to this trend, as public transport operators increasingly turn to mission-critical LTE networks over aging GSM-R systems and other legacy technologies.

South Korea's KR (Korea National Railway) has deployed one of the world's largest LTE-based railway communications networks and China hosts many 1.8 GHz private LTE networks for CBTC (Communications-Based Train Control), video surveillance, broadband trunking and PIS (Passenger Information System)-related applications.  In France, SGP (Société du Grand Paris) has deployed a 2.6 GHz private LTE network to provide indoor and outdoor coverage for operational communications across all Grand Paris Express rapid transit system's stations, lines and depots. The PTA (Public Transport Authority of Western Australia) is installing a purpose-built 3GPP network, which includes approximately 160 cell sites, to replace its existing 400 MHz voice-only analog radio system. Among other examples, India’s NCRTC (National Capital Region Transport Corporation) is deploying a 700 MHz private LTE network for the Delhi-Meerut RRTS (Regional Rapid Transit System). The network supports mission-critical voice and data communications, ETCS (European Train Control System) Level 2 and 3 signaling as well as ATO (Automatic Train Operation).

Although a full-scale transition from GSM-R to FRMCS implementations is not expected until the late 2020s, FRMCS-ready 5G networks are also starting to be adopted to support operational and safety-related applications. In China, Shentong Metro, Guangzhou Metro, Shenzhen Metro and several other urban rail transit operators have recently adopted hybrid public-private 5G networks. Spain’s Adif AV is also deploying hybrid public and private 5G network infrastructure across its strategic logistics centers across the country in a bid to boost digitalization, process automation and cost reduction in rail freight transport.  In the United Kingdom, the ECH-R (England’s Connected Heartland Railways) project aims to deploy a standalone private 5G network to provide connectivity for operational teams and passengers along a section of the EWR (East West Rail) track between Bicester and Bletchley.  

DB (Deutsche Bahn), SNCF (French National Railways), SBB (Swiss Federal Railways), FTIA (Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency), PKP (Polish State Railways), Tokyo Metro, China State Railway Group and others are actively progressing with their pre-commercial 5G rail connectivity projects prior to operational deployment. SNS Telecom & IT's “Private 5G/4G Cellular Networks for Railways: 2024 – 2030” report predicts that global spending on private 5G and 4G LTE network infrastructure in the railways sector will grow at a CAGR of 23% over the next three years, collectively accounting for more than $1.2 Billion between 2024 and 2027. For more information, please visit: https://www.snstelecom.com/railways

About SNS Telecom & IT

SNS Telecom & IT is a global market intelligence and consulting firm with a primary focus on the telecommunications and information technology industries. Developed by in-house subject matter experts, our market intelligence and research reports provide unique insights on both established and emerging technologies. Our areas of coverage include but are not limited to 6G, 5G, LTE, Open RAN, vRAN, small cells, mobile core, xHaul transport, network automation, mobile operator services, FWA, neutral host networks, private 4G/5G cellular networks, public safety broadband, critical communications, MCX, IIoT, V2X communications and vertical applications.