InnoTrans 2024 | Ericsson to showcase mission-critical innovations for railways

InnoTrans, organized by Messe Berlin, features five segments: Railway Technology, Railway Infrastructure, Public Transport, Interiors and Tunnel Construction. Ericsson is participating in the Railway Technology segment under the theme “5G for rail communications”.

The company will showcase its latest Mission Critical Communications solutions, with a strong focus on 5G Corridors and Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS), aimed at enhancing passenger and freight rail safety and efficiency.

5G Corridors along railway lines allow passengers to enjoy Gigabit speeds for working, streaming, and making calls during their trips. Rail companies can offer infotainment services, real-time travel updates, and enhanced communication throughout the journey.

FRMCS is an innovative mobile communication system for railways that allows real-time data exchange between trains, crucial for safe and efficient railway operations. The project, led by Ericsson and the International Union of Railways (UIC), with support from other railway companies, will replace the old GSM-R system with LTE and 5G technologies.

“We believe that 5G and FRMCS technologies will drive rail communication into a new era, improving safety, efficiency, and the passenger experience,” says Magnus Packendorff, Head of Mission Critical at Ericsson. “As a trusted partner and technology leader, Ericsson is committed to collaborating with railways and mobile operators in offering high-performing, resilient and secure connectivity essential for passengers and freight services.”

Packendorff notes that the latest developments in FRMCS offer railways the opportunity to adopt new technologies that boost routine railway operations and emergency response capabilities. “Our commitment is to support railways and mobile operators in evolving their services from GSM-R to FRMCS," he says. "Collaboratively we can embrace advanced technologies that benefit the railway industry and its customers."

The InnoTrans event will feature more than 2,700 international exhibitors, with significant presence from German companies, unveiling their newest products and services. More than 130,000 visitors from over 130 countries are expected to attend and explore the latest innovations and trends in the transport sector.

“InnoTrans is the most significant event in the rail and transport industry calendar. We are therefore thrilled to be here this year with Ericsson as a leading mobile network supplier and to have the opportunity to demonstrate our current FRMCS and 5G Corridors solutions to the industry experts”, says Daniel Leimbach, Head of Customer Unit Western Europe, Ericsson. “We are looking forward to four days of discussions, product demonstrations and interactions about the future of this industry.”

InnoTrans stands out for its outdoor and track display area where various vehicles from tank wagons to high-speed trains are displayed across 3.5 kilometers of track. Moreover, the InnoTrans Convention, a high-profile event, will run alongside the trade fair with live streaming available. Katrin Bachert, a key account manager for service providers, will represent Ericsson in a panel discussion on Germany’s Gigabit Innovation Track (GINT) project.