ERTMS and Telecommunications
ERTMS - European Rail Traffic Management System
Objective
ERTMS is the European standard for CCS. ERTMS consists of ETCS, RMR and ATO. This system is installed both on the railway track (trackside subsystem) and on the rolling stock (on-board subsystem).
According to the relevant EU legislation, such as the ‘Guidelines on the Trans-European Network Transport’ (TEN-T), the deployment of ERTMS is mandatory on railway infrastructure projects for new or upgraded rail subsystems receiving financial support from the EU. Furthermore, following the entry into force of the 4th Railway Package in 2016, any ERTMS project must be approved by ERA to ensure interoperability with EU specifications (‘ERTMS Trackside Approval’). ERTMS is therefore one of the key enablers in creating the ‘Single European Railway Area’ in which trains can run seamlessly, and IMs are the key drivers of the deployment of ERTMS on a national level.
The related activities are regulated by Regulation (EU) 2023/1695 on the Technical Specification for Interoperability relating to the Control-Command and Signalling (CCS TSI). CCS TSI applies to both onboard subsystems of vehicles and control-command and signalling trackside subsystems of the rail networks.
EIM in action
- EIM’s WG “ERTMS” reviews the evolution of ERTMS in Europe. It cooperates with other EIM WGs (TDC, OPE, TEL) to ensure a single, coherent EIM position in this domain.
- EIM contributes to the development of the future architecture to be done in Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking (System Pillar). EIM’s WG ERTMS regularly exchange with System Pillar Traffic CS Domain Leader to tackle discussions in time and effectively advise EIM positioning at System Pillar’s Steering Group meetings.
- EIM’s WG ERTMS regularly exchange and aligns on relevant topics with the ERTMS Users Group (EUG).
EIM actions in 2025
- EIM’s WG “ERTMS” coordinated member contributions and addressed outstanding items from the ERA CCS Working Party, including the review of application guides and proposed amendments to TSI CCS.
- Through ERA’s Control Group, EIM’s WG “ERTMS” actively participated in the ERTMS Change Control Management (CCM) process, working to maintain the stability of ERTMS specifications through the controlled evolution of so-called “game changers”.
- EIM’s WG “ERTMS” shared practical experience gained from implementing the new TSI CCS and contributed to the resolution of outstanding issues as input for the next TSI CCS revision.
- EIM’s WG “ERTMS” closely monitored discussions on developing an FRMCS-compatible ETCS baseline, a process that remained unresolved at the end of 2025.
- EIM participated in several ERA meetings focused on improving the current ERTMS Trackside Approval (TA) process.
- In parallel, EIM proactively engaged with ERA on the need for a more strategic overhaul of the Trackside Approval process. The sector’s position is clear: work should be formally tabled and launched to transform the TA into a requirements checklist that IMs can include in procurement tenders.
- At the close of 2025, ERA dissolved the Working Group on ERTMS System Compatibility (ESC), citing insufficient progress towards its objective of phasing out ESC. The sector has firmly opposed this decision and called on ERA to reconsider its approach.
Outlook 2026
- EIM’s WG “ERTMS” will monitor and engage with ERJU activities related to the future architecture and modularisation of ERTMS, participating as a member of the mirror group under the System Pillar.
- EIM’s WG “ERTMS” will continue contributing to the ERJU System Pillar’s progress.
- EIM speakers will maintain their active contribution to the ERA ERTMS Control Group process and other ERA groups.
- EIM’s WG “ERTMS” will continue to support the work carried out under the renewed ERA mandate, including contributions to the TSI CCS Application Guide.
- EIM will closely follow the important developments of FRMCS-compatible ETCS Baseline and the related need for retrofitting on-board equipment. The dossier is now in the hands of the EIM’s TSG, given its political dimension.
- EIM will persist in advocating for a meaningful and substantial improvement of the ERTMS Trackside Approval process.
- EIM will work closely with ERA on the simplification and cross-border harmonisation of ERTMS System Compatibility (ESC) across Member States.
Application Guide
Telecommunications
Objective
Telecommunications are a highly strategic topic for IMs as they enable safe and secure communications for railway operations. This applies to the current railway mobile telecom technology, 4G/5G public services, GSM-R and its 5G successor technology FRMCS. GSM-R will be phased out by 2030/2035, and a successor FRMCS is essential for the railway industry and IMs. FRMCS is currently being standardised, and its roll-out is expected to start in the early 2030s. Like ERTMS, Regulation (EU) 2023/1695 (CCS TSI) also applies to telecommunications.
EIM in action
- EIM’s WG “TEL” (Telecom) supports the life cycle management of GSM-R and its current use for ERTMS.
- EIM’s WG “TEL” supports the strategy for deployment of FRMCS in cooperation with the ERTMS community.
- EIM’s WG “TEL” advocates a high-performing, robust and cost-efficient FRMCS, as well as a clear migration plan.
EIM actions in 2025
- EIM’s WG “TEL” has immersed itself in the review of the FRMCS specifications and has reviewed all the FRMCS specification documents.
- EIM WG “TEL” has advocated and gained the introduction of MNO frequencies within FRMCS. This is an important achievement in ensuring the deployability of FRMCS as well as the upgradability of FRMCS to future telecom technologies.
- EIM’s WG “TEL” has successfully aligned the various initiatives within EIM-membership for testing and piloting 5G technology in railways, as well as the MORNAE2-test programme for FRMCS.
- EIM WG “TEL” provided experts to participate in the EU Rail activities undertaken by the newly launched High Level Deployment Group and its FRMCS-subgroup.
- EIM WG’s “TEL” advised EIM for the Stakeholder Alignment Meetings with key stakeholders (ERA, EC, ERJU, CER) to monitor the development of FRMCS specifications by UIC.
- EIM has engaged with industry associations on the development of 6G technologies, to influence the development of 6G to meet the needs of the rail IMs.
Outlook 2026
- EIM’s WG “TEL” will provide regular feedback on the upcoming TSI updates (functionality, architecture, spectrum, migration) and will coordinate its effort with EIM ERTMS WG.
- EIM’s WG “TEL” will contribute to the finalisation of the FRMCS V2/3 specifications (including the ETSI standards).
- EIM WG “TEL” will further develop its position on FRMCS to ensure usability, cost effectiveness and interoperability.
- EIM WG “TEL” will monitor the testing programme MORANE2 and interact with the supply industry to have the first products built, installed and tested.
- EIM’s WG “TEL” will follow up on the cooperation with the 6G industry association to facilitate a smooth transition of FRMCS to 6G technology.
- EIM’s WG “TEL” will contribute to the activities within the Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking (ERJU) as appropriate.
- EIM’s WG “TEL” will closely follow the ongoing discussion for a FRMCS-compatible ETCS baseline.
Application guide