The future of railways is connected with AI and 5G technologies

A robotic dog, equipped with advanced cameras and sensors, autonomously inspects railcars – streaming live data over private 5G for instant AI-driven defect detection. Complementing this, wayside automated visual inspection systems scan trains at full speed, analysing wheels, axles, and structural integrity in real time.

In today’s rapidly evolving landscape, governments and critical industries face growing demands for secure, reliable, and intelligent communications. Sectors like public safety, defence, utilities, rail, and digital airspace today need infrastructure that supports real-time video feeds, AI-enhanced analytics, and mobile collaboration without sacrificing reliability.

Governments and critical industry organisations are expected to further incorporate advanced technologies like AI, machine learning, and data analytics to improve predictive policing, resource allocation, and response times. Emerging tools such as drones and autonomous vehicles are anticipated to play increasingly significant roles in surveillance and emergency response efforts.

Rita Mokbel, president, Ericsson Vietnam

We envision a future where public sector organisations have access to standardised, broadband -based communications that are not only secure and interoperable, but also intelligent and responsive.

As governments and critical sectors accelerate their digital transformation, communications service providers (CSPs) are uniquely positioned to offer next-generation mission-critical communication services on top of 4G and 5G networks. Mission-critical networks are specifically designed to meet the stringent requirements of public safety, defence, utilities, rail, and digital airspace sectors where secure, reliable, and high-performance connectivity is essential.

These networks are built upon 3GPP standards and leverage leading 4G and 5G technologies to deliver broadband capabilities for mission-critical services such as push-to-talk, real-time video, and data for professional users whose work directly impact the safety, security, and operational efficiency of critical services and organisations. These can include first responders, defence personnel, railway staff, utility workers, and government officials. The networks provide reliability, availability, and security that standard commercial networks might not be able to offer.

Let me deep dive into the example of railways. We are entering the era of highly connected railways. From connected passengers to digitalised operations, the rail transport sector is exploring digitalisation to enhance user experience, increase efficiency in their day-to-day operations, and maintain network security.

The future of digital railway depends on reliable critical mobile broadband connectivity powered by innovative 5G network solutions for faster, safer, and greener travel.

3GPP is the modern standard for mission-critical mobile communications. 4G and 5G will enable a much broader ecosystem of communication devices and sensors to be utilised, and will therefore reduce total cost of ownership. The advantage of building an open framework is that it gives the urban metro and mainline rail operators the tools they need to keep trains competitive with other emerging forms of transportation, such as self-driving cars.

Upgrading to 5G mobile technology means that networks can handle large volumes of data with much faster response times. This change will bolster operations by allowing for network slicing on a single network, supporting various use cases, including the remote control of trains travelling at speeds of up to 500km/h.

As part of the service provider Swisscom’s initiative to unleash the next wave of 5G enterprise across Switzerland, Europe, and the world, Swisscom, Ericsson, and Swiss Federal Railways collaborated in multiple connectivity projects for railway track coverage, including to test and achieve world-first 5G throughput speeds of 1.2 Gbps and latency as low as eight milliseconds – on a moving train.

Stronger communications infrastructure means rail operators are equipped with a more capable set of eyes and ears, so passengers can travel safely and punctually, while operational efficiency is improved across the board.

Security video surveillance is vital for any rail operator’s security measures. With a suite of highly networked cameras located both in train stations and the trains themselves, rail operators can respond to potential threats and can gain greater insight into certain events with increased readiness and clarity.

As reliance on digital infrastructure grows, cybersecurity will become a paramount concern, necessitating robust measures to protect critical infrastructure like energy grids and communication networks, alongside ensuring the security of personal and sensitive data.

Ericsson’s mission-critical networks portfolio empowers CSPs to meet this demand by offering 3GPP-compliant 4G and 5G solutions that are scalable, interoperable, and tailored for the unique needs of such operations. CSPs can deliver resilient connectivity that enhances situational awareness, operational efficiency, and cross-agency collaboration, either through dedicated private networks or hybrid models leveraging existing infrastructure.

Whether it is enabling autonomous drones in emergency response, safeguarding national infrastructure with advanced cybersecurity, or supporting high-speed rail and smart power grids, Ericsson is helping governments and critical industries bring their digital ambitions to life.