Broadband  |  2025-08-04

SISTEM Wins First Tender in Spain to Prepare FRMCS System Infrastructure

Source: The Critical Communications Review | Gert Jan Wolf editor

Contract marks a milestone for the national railway sector, as it represents the first concrete step toward the transition from the current GSM-R system to a communications network based on 5G technology.

The company Sistemas y Montajes Industriales S.A. (SISTEM), part of the CPS Group, has been awarded the first official tender in Spain to prepare the infrastructure necessary for the implementation of the FRMCS (Future Railway Mobile Communication System), the new European standard for railway mobile communications.

This contract marks a milestone for the national railway sector, as it represents the first concrete step toward the transition from the current GSM-R system to a communications network based on 5G technology, which is more secure, efficient, and prepared for the challenges of the future.
The project, which will be carried out on the León–Matallana test section, is part of the international ERJU (Europe's Rail Joint Undertaking) program, a European initiative for the development of a more digitalized, competitive, and sustainable railway system. In this context, Adif is leading the FRMCS implementation trials in Spain, with the goal of beginning technical trials in 2026.

Deep transformation of the sector

The FRMCS, developed by the International Union of Railways (UIC) in collaboration with the European industry, is based on 5G standards and will allow for more efficient integration of control, signaling, video surveillance, emergency communications, and operational services systems. It will also facilitate the progressive automation of railway operations, improving safety and reducing operating costs.

In the words of management:

"The transition to FRMCS not only implies a technological change, but a profound transformation in the way rail transport is communicated and managed. It is a qualitative leap towards a smarter, more interoperable, and more secure network."

With a solid track record in the deployment of telecommunications networks, including its participation in 5G projects for critical infrastructure, SISTEM thus consolidates its leadership as a technological integrator in the railway sector. This award reinforces its strategic role in the evolution of rail transport toward more connected, automated, and sustainable models.