Broadband  |  2026-09-23

Queensland’s Rail Network in Australia gets Digital Communication Boost with MCX from FREQUENTIS

Source: The Critical Communications Review | Gert Jan Wolf editor

Frequentis will provide mission-critical data and trackside gateway capabilities for secure, reliable digital train control.

Awarded by the Queensland Government, the new Digital Radio System (DRS) will be deployed as part of Stage 1 of The Wave, a transformative public transport and rail infrastructure programme connecting Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR), Queensland Rail and delivery partners are implementing the DRS to support the region's future growth.

South-East Queensland is one of Australia's fastest-growing regions, with increasing demand for reliable public transport connections. As the rail network expands and prepares for increased passenger numbers ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Queensland is investing in new digital technologies to improve the capacity, reliability, and efficiency of rail operations.

The DRS will provide the mission-critical communications specified as FRMCS and needed to support Alstom's digital European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2, helping enable secure, reliable and highly available data exchange between trains and railway infrastructure.

Frequentis will provide Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS) platform capabilities, as part of the communications work package delivered by UGL Transport together with Ericsson and Frequentis. This includes 3GPP Mission Critical Data services (MCData IP connectivity) and Trackside Gateway functions. The solution will establish an FRMCS-aligned foundation for the future evolution of Queensland's railway communications.

"This project will help to build a safer, more reliable, and future-ready railway in Queensland by providing the mission-critical communications required for digital train control. Frequentis is proud to create local jobs in Queensland and contribute its FRMCS expertise, supporting ETCS Level 2, while helping to create a pathway towards next-generation FRMCS communications and services,"

says Martin Rampl, Managing Director Frequentis Australasia.