Germany’s four major mobile network operators, Deutsche Bahn (DB), and the government have reached a groundbreaking agreement to significantly enhance 5G connectivity on the Hamburg-Berlin rail line.
This project, part of a broader track renovation scheduled from August 2025 to April 2026, seeks to create an “Innovation Route for Mobile Network Expansion” along the 278-kilometer stretch.
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Innovative Solutions for 5G Connectivity on Trains
A key innovation involves installing new trackside masts and testing a new type of train window designed to allow 5G signals to penetrate train carriages more efficiently, eliminating the need for roof-mounted repeaters. These new windows will tackle the signal-blocking effects of current metal-coated windows, which, while effective at blocking sunlight, hinder signal strength.
DB and the mobile operators—1&1, Deutsche Telekom, Telefónica O2, and Vodafone—have committed to delivering gigabit speeds for passengers, as stated in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on October 21. This joint initiative aims to improve the overall customer experience by providing consistent, high-speed internet access on board trains, particularly on one of Germany’s busiest rail lines, which sees up to 230 trains and 30,000 passengers daily.
Read More: Vodafone Germany Announces 5G Railway Progress
Upgrading Rail Infrastructure for the Future
The project also includes significant infrastructure upgrades to support the Future Rail Mobile Communication System (FRMCS), a new railway communication standard set to replace the aging GSM-R system across Europe by 2035. DB will overhaul tracks, stations, and signaling technology during the line’s closure, integrating the new 5G infrastructure into the existing network.
Mobile operators will have access to the masts and power infrastructure built for FRMCS to test ways of delivering more robust in-carriage connectivity. The FRMCS rollout, which aims to achieve full European implementation by 2035, is crucial to ensuring seamless communications for passengers and railway operations in the coming years.
