Eviden and AllWayTon launch triple-mode FRMCS/GSM-R smartphone

Eviden and AllWayTon have partnered to deliver a smartphone supporting GSM-R, FRMCS and public 5G, easing railways' migration to next-generation comms.

By The Datatech Times Editorial Team AI level 2 of 5
AI level 2 of 5: drafted by our AI editorial assistant from the company's announcement; fact-checked, edited and signed off by Mark Walker, Editorial Director. What the levels mean
A brightly lit control room features a large, curved video wall composed of multiple screens displaying abstract colorful data lines and points, with several rows of computer workstations equipped with multiple black monitors on white desks

Eviden, the Atos Group brand focused on mission-critical systems, has announced an exclusive partnership with Chinese railway device specialist AllWayTon Technology to deliver what the two companies describe as the first triple-mode FRMCS/5G/GSM-R smartphone for the railway sector. The device pairs AllWayTon's hardware with Eviden's MCX Client software and is available now, with a showcase planned at InnoTrans 2026 in Berlin from 22 to 25 September.

The combined product allows railway staff to reach both the established GSM-R network and the emerging FRMCS infrastructure through a single handset, while retaining fallback connectivity over public 5G. Eviden's MCX Client, part of its Lifelink MCX Connect portfolio, provides secure push-to-talk, data and video services across both network generations.

Supporting the GSM-R to FRMCS transition

GSM-R has underpinned European railway voice communications for roughly two decades, but infrastructure managers across multiple rail networks are now committed to migrating to FRMCS, the next-generation standard specified by the International Union of Railways (UIC) and built on 5G and Mission Critical Communications (MCX) technology. FRMCS promises substantially higher capacity and supports video and broadband data services alongside voice, reflecting the richer operational requirements of modern rail.

The practical obstacle to any migration is continuity of service. Train operators cannot simply switch off legacy networks overnight; staff in the field need access to both environments simultaneously during a transition period that could last several years. Christian Heinrich, head of critical national infrastructure at Eviden, framed the partnership in those terms: "Railway organisations need to introduce FRMCS progressively while maintaining reliable access to their existing GSM-R communications. Combining AllWayTon's triple-mode smartphone with Eviden's MCX technology will give users a practical way to access both environments through a single device during this critical transition phase."

Fenzhi Ding, chief executive of AllWayTon, said the joint solution is "field-ready" and suited for deployment across international railway markets. AllWayTon's products are already deployed in more than 30 countries, giving the partnership an existing distribution base to sell into.

Market context and competitive positioning

The FRMCS transition is creating a new procurement cycle across European and Asian rail networks, and it is attracting competition from established telecoms and specialist vendors alike. Motorola Solutions, Hytera and Nokia have all been active in the MCX and TETRA migration space, while a number of rail-focused integrators are building FRMCS-ready product lines. The differentiator Eviden and AllWayTon are claiming is the combination of all three modes in a single certified handset, which reduces the number of devices that train operators need to procure and manage during the overlap period.

Eviden's broader Lifelink MCX Connect portfolio covers server-side infrastructure, interworking gateways, dispatcher consoles and recording systems, positioning it as a full-stack integrator rather than a device vendor alone. That scope matters because railway operators typically require end-to-end system assurance, not just terminal certification.

Regulatory and standards read-across

FRMCS deployment in Europe is tied to the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) rollout roadmap, with the European Union Agency for Railways coordinating technical specifications. National infrastructure managers in Germany, France and the UK have each published indicative timelines for GSM-R decommissioning, though these have slipped repeatedly as FRMCS standardisation matured. The NIS2 Directive, which came into force across EU member states in late 2024, imposes heightened cybersecurity obligations on rail operators as critical infrastructure entities, adding a compliance dimension to any communications upgrade programme.

Eviden will need to demonstrate interoperability with multiple national FRMCS deployments and obtain relevant type-approval certifications before the device can be used operationally on specific networks. InnoTrans 2026 is the logical venue to begin those conversations with infrastructure managers.

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