This week, Druid Software proudly joins ETSI’s 4th FRMCS plugtest at ETSI's Antibes Sophia Antipolis facility in France. Organized by ETSI with support from the European Commission (EC), the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), the Critical Communications Association (TCCA), and the Union Internationale des Chemins de fer (UIC), this event is pivotal for the future of railway communications.

In the railway industry, mission-critical communication is essential for safely operating trains at speeds of up to 500 km/h. This requires ultra-reliable real-time track safety information, precise positioning, cabin communications, and seamless interaction between trains and command/control centers, all with minimal latency. Additionally, effective roaming solutions across different countries and FRMCS networks are necessary.

During the plugtest, our technical experts will integrate Druid Software’s Raemis™ 4G/5G core solution with various Mission Critical Application Servers (MCX AS) from industry partners. These MCX applications will facilitate mission-critical voice, video, and data communications. By leveraging the Raemis™ platform, the MCX application server will utilize 5G network slicing to ensure dedicated and prioritized services for all MCX applications. We will test and validate this integration according to 3GPP-defined standards.

The FRMCS plugtest differs from a regular MCX plugtest by focusing on application servers and applications tailored specifically for FRMCS purposes. The Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS) is set to replace the GSM-R (2G) network across Europe by 2035 and includes specific features defined by the UIC. Countries with legacy railway communication systems are also showing interest in adopting the new FRMCS 5G standard.

As a TCCA member, Druid Software has a long-standing commitment to mission-critical communications. Our participation in both MCX and FRMCS plugtest events underscores our dedication to ensuring reliable mission-critical communication across various industries, particularly in the railway sector, where the difference between effective and poor communication can be a matter of life and death.