This white paper argues that although FRMCS, the 5G-based successor to GSM-R, is officially planned to roll out gradually to 2035, momentum is accelerating due to successful 5G rail trials and early tenders, so rail operators need to prepare sooner than expected (pages 2–3). It frames FRMCS as an enabler for next-step rail capabilities such as ATO, ETCS evolution, better positioning, and stronger cybersecurity, alongside expanded fibre backhaul and advanced transport (page 3). The paper proposes three readiness steps: plan the expanded radio and fibre network using GIS-enabled tools for optimal coverage and routing (pages 4–5), capture a far broader inventory of assets and systems from day one and synchronize planned and discovered resources across layers (page 6), and assure performance w

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