FRMCS: New ETSI testing work and UK research projects

ETSI expands work on FRMCS conformance testing

On 19 October 2026, ETSI adopted three work items covering client conformance testing under TS 104 069-1, server conformance testing under TS 104 069-2, and test applicability and Implementation Conformance Statements under TS 104 070. These statements document which specified capabilities an implementation supports.

The client and server testing work includes developing Release 19 test cases and maintaining existing Release 18 tests. Conformance testing provides a systematic way to assess whether an implementation meets the relevant technical requirements.

Adoption of the work items is a step in the standardisation process. It does not constitute publication of new, completed versions of the standards.

Sources: ETSI – Client conformance testing · ETSI – Server conformance testing · ETSI – Test applicability and Implementation Conformance Statements

UK research addresses spectrum requirements and lifecycle management

On 14 October 2026, RSSB and Network Rail announced funding for two FRMCS research projects. MapFrag aims to quantify spectrum requirements in Great Britain and investigate data management and quality of service.

A second project addresses obsolescence management: how FRMCS systems can remain maintainable and upgradeable over time, and what lifecycle costs this entails.

The projects are scheduled to start in November 2026. No research results are available as of the editorial cut-off.

Source: RSSB – Funding for new UKRRIN projects

New early draft on equipment capabilities

Draft 0.0.2 of ETSI TS 103 765-5, which addresses FRMCS user equipment capabilities, was made available on 13 October 2026.

ETSI’s metadata confirms the version change. Access to the document attachment is restricted, so specific technical changes could not be verified. This is an early draft, not a final published standard.

Source: ETSI – TS 103 765-5

Finnish market consultation: response deadline on 23 October

The Finnish FRMCS market consultation lists a response deadline of 23 October 2026 at 16:00 Finnish time, equivalent to 15:00 Swiss time.

The procedure supports information gathering and market dialogue. It is a request for information (RFI), not the award of a supply contract.

Source: Finnish procurement portal – FRMCS market consultation