UIC is organising for the first time a Global Conference on FRMCS, the Future Railway Mobile Communication System. FRMCS is the future worldwide telecommunication system designed by UIC, in close cooperation with the different stakeholders from the rail sector, as the successor of GSM-R as well as a key enabler for rail transport digitalisation.

Over 250 participants, 40 speakers, sponsors and exhibitors, from 25 countries and from many diverse areas such as the telecoms and signalling domains, regulation authorities and standardisation bodies, railway infrastructure managers and railway undertakings, as well as industry leaders and manufacturers are attending this international conference, whose aim is to facilitate an open, relevant and comprehensive exchange of information between the numerous actors of the rail sector.

Jean-Pierre Loubinoux, UIC Director General said: “If you may compare the railway system to a human body, the heart of the system that regulates the flows between its different components, infrastructure and rolling stock, is the signalling system. This modern IT technology cannot work without a good articulation with the telecom, like the veins and vessels bringing blood to the heart which will regulate the network. UIC is evidently happy to coordinate with all its members and its partners this Future Railway Mobile Communication System that will be the new international standard to bring efficiency and safety to railway operations.”

Mr François Davenne, UIC Deputy Director General, said during the opening session held on the morning of 14 May:
“FRMCS will be a key driver for rail digitalisation. It will optimise the infrastructure cost of ownership while improving service quality and available capacity for users, all within the context of complete interoperability.
It is opening the way towards the mobility of the future by breaking down barriers between transport modes and usage. It will be a key enabler for the creation and operation of digital twins.”

Among the main topics, UIC is addressing the following:

• GSM-R in ERTMS: State of the Art & Evolution
• Enabling Digitalisation: FRMCS Drivers & Rationale
• FRMCS Railway Initiative: Key Players & Activities
• FRMCS Specification & Standardisation Process
• The Engagement of Industry
• FRMCS Migration

The key speakers during the opening session as as follows:
François DAVENNE, Deputy Director General, UIC
Matthias RUETE, European ERTMS Coordinator, European Commission
Luis ROMERO, General Director, ETSI
Josef DOPPELBAUER, General Manager, ERA
Giorgio TRAVAINI, Head of Research & Innovation, Shift2Rail

A dedicated film explaining FRMCS is available on the UIC YouTube channel: