HUAWEI has successfully deployed a cutting-edge communications system for Mozambique Ports and Railways (CFM), marking a significant milestone in the digital transformation of the country's railway network. The Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS), which is a highly reliable communication bearer network site solution based on leading digital technologies, with a built-in security protection system, is the first of its kind in the world.
It is designed to replace incumbent but ageing 2G-based GSM-R infrastructure systems and in this case, Mozambique’s current satellite-based communication system, providing a 5G-ready dedicated radio system for railway mobile communications.
The Southern Africa Railway Association (SARA) has been a strong supporter of the digitalisation of railways across the region to improve safety and efficiency. SARA president, Mr Agostinho Francisco Langa Júnior, believes that “FRMCS is pivotal for the genuine digital transformation of railways,” adding that “to achieve a truly integrated regional railway system, it's crucial for our region to standardise FRMCS on a single technology.”
The FRMCS project in Mozambique is a major milestone in that integration initiative, and SARA has been a major player within the International Union of Railways (UIC) to unify and implement FRMCS standards.
The CFM solution includes a comprehensive range of components. This consists of wireless base stations, cloud core networks, railway dispatching systems, handheld terminals, and vehicle-mounted dispatching which provide contiguous access to key elements of the system for authorised users. In addition, the system encompasses transmission and campus network systems, including a microwave transmission network, office campus network, station campus network and a network management centre.
The previous satellite-based communication system suffered from low bandwidth, which caused frequent disconnections and led to issues with communications security. The system was also very expensive to run, so CFM was keen to implement a future-proof replacement that addressed these key challenges. After consultation, Huawei’s FRMCS solution was chosen and implementation of the first phase began in 2021. The second phase was completed in December 2023 and the new system is now fully operational on the Goba and Sena lines across the capital Maputo and in Beira province. Huawei expects to complete rollout across the full CFM network by 2026. Providing a digital infrastructure for the country will provide the basis for a future digital economy that will improve services and drive production.
One of the key benefits of this advanced system is its ability to ensure robust and stable communications for train-to-ground voice and data links, significantly enhancing the efficiency of scheduling and the overall operational safety of the railway network. VoIP calling, and new billing and container systems implemented also help CFM reduce network costs. Furthermore, the FRMCS-based communication system greatly improves the efficiency of scheduling, which is crucial for the safe and reliable operation of the railway network.
The newly-introduced trackside base stations and transmission devices leverage cutting-edge LTE wireless and IP transmission technologies. This ensures end-to-end (E2E) security, high bandwidth, and further enhances the overall security of the system.
A video system actively monitors, tracks, and evaluates railway operations. By doing so, it significantly improves the efficiency of railway operations and streamlines management processes.
Dedicated project team
CFM’s involvement in each phase of the project has been substantial. It set up a dedicated project team and appointed a project manager and project team to cooperate with Huawei. After delivery, high-quality training was provided, and the live network has been maintained by CFM employees. This collaboration between CFM and Huawei has been instrumental in the successful implementation of the project.
The project has experienced challenges, as is often the case with pioneering installations. Unique conditions along the railway, such as different soil types and varied terrain, required careful adaptation of the solution to the environment to guarantee the long-term viability of the project. To ensure service continuity and smooth transition between the old and new networks, the new system was deployed in phases. The technical teams at Huawei and CFM worked together to design and optimise the new network topology to ensure seamless integration and reliable performance. This helped solve issues on the old network such as network storms and communications drop-outs.
The FRMCS system provides visibility and high-level monitoring of operations which is crucial for the successful operation of the dispatching system. The dispatching system for railway services is upgraded to implement group , P2P, service-based, and location-based calls. This improves dispatching efficiency to the maximum extent and greatly reduces accidents caused by dispatching management.
The system also introduces architectural advances that simplify network structures while enhancing reliability and performance. The core network of the FRMCS system adopts dual-network redundancy backup, and the network equipment is highly integrated, improving the reliability of the network core side to 99.999%. This ensures it meets CFM key performance indicator (KPI) targets and significantly improves key aspects of railway operations.
“Local subcontractors initially lacked project delivery experience, making the project delivery more challenging. Despite these challenges, and through the joint efforts of the project team and the customer, numerous difficulties were overcome and extra training was provided, ultimately leading to the successful delivery of the project,” says Mr Ma Yanfei, Huawei’s project director for CFM.
“Mozambique is a country of natural beauty with warm and friendly people, with English being a common language, making it easy for the Huawei team to integrate and work here. The country also offers a wide variety of cuisines, with an abundance of affordable seafood. The CFM customers are highly dedicated, making it a great pleasure to work with them."
Key lessons
One of the key lessons learned from this project is that successful target-based delivery is deeply dependent on a comprehensive understanding of customer requirements and potential pitfalls. This ensures that all potential challenges are identified early and can be addressed in the planning stage.
Similarly, the installation process must consider cost, time, and scope to meet all requirements. Even if it necessitates changes to the scope, these adjustments need to be communicated and agreed upon by all stakeholders. This collaborative approach ensures that everyone is aligned and working towards the same goal.
The successful deployment of the FRMCS-based communication system in Mozambique sets a high benchmark for other railway networks in the region and around the world.
UIC has released the FRMCS-T standard, establishing a comprehensive framework for the next generation of rail communication systems. This new standard marks a significant transition from traditional systems to modern ones that support 5G technology. Huawei has positioned itself as a key player in this evolving landscape, as demonstrated by its successful implementation in Mozambique.
Looking ahead, the prospects for future upgrades are promising. The Huawei system is aligned with the future UIC standard, and its 5G-ready capabilities position it as a forward-looking solution that can evolve in line with the development of FRMCS. This paves the way for continued advancements in railway digitalisation and underscores the potential for similar deployments in other parts of the world.
This integration provides a smooth transition from the specific case of Mozambique to the broader context of global railway communications standards. It also reinforces Huawei's role in both the specific project and the wider industry landscape.
