Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/291 of 9 February 2026 amending Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/1730, as regards additional use cases in the paired 874,4-880 MHz and 919,4-925 MHz frequency bands for Railway Mobile Radio (notified under document C(2026)674)
Date: 2026-02-09
Institutions: Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology, European Commission
Subjects: harmonisation of standards, mobile communication, radio telecommunications, rail transport, regulation of telecommunications, technical specification, technical standard, transmission network, waveband




L_202600291EN.000101.fmx.xml












Official Journal of the European Union


EN
L series













2026/291


11.2.2026







            COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING DECISION (EU) 2026/291
of 9 February 2026
         
amending Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/1730, as regards additional use cases in the paired 874,4-880 MHz and 919,4-925 MHz frequency bands for Railway Mobile Radio


(notified under document C(2026)674)


(Text with EEA relevance)


THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,

Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,


Having regard to Decision No 676/2002/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 March 2002 on a regulatory framework for radio spectrum policy in the European Community (Radio Spectrum Decision) (1), and in particular Article 4(3) thereof,

Whereas:







(1)


Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/1730 (2) allows for the effective transition from the legacy Global System for Mobile Communications – Rail (GSM-R) to the new Future Railway Mobile Communication System (FRMCS) for radio communications for railway operations.












(2)


Recent developments in standardisation have shown that in the 874,4-880 MHz and 919,4-925 MHz frequency bands (hereinafter: ‘the 900 MHz frequency band’) additional or new use cases can be introduced based on frequency channels larger than 1,4 MHz and smaller than 5 MHz. Also, the use of the 900 MHz frequency band for narrowband (NB) channels can be extended to other NB technologies aside from the NB Internet of Things (NB-IoT) for the FRMCS. Also, the railway community proposed removing the channelisation of 1,4 MHz, which is limited to Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology.












(3)


Deploying additional use cases in the 900 MHz frequency band will enable the FRMCS and the GSM-R legacy systems to be used concurrently within that band in the current infrastructure, facilitating cost-efficient deployment.












(4)


The use of frequency channels smaller than 5 MHz with 5G technology will play a critical role for the migration from GSM-R to FRMCS and beyond, allowing new devices to be introduced onto the market.












(5)


On 30 July 2024, pursuant to Article 4(2) of Decision 676/2002/EC, the European Commission gave a mandate to the European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations (CEPT) to develop harmonised technical and operational conditions in order to introduce use cases with the latest technology evolution for the FRMCS using the 900 MHz frequency band.












(6)


In response to that mandate, on 28 June 2025, the CEPT adopted its Report 90. This provides harmonised technical conditions to introduce use cases with the latest technology evolution for FRMCS using the 900 MHz frequency band and allow all NB technologies in NB channels beyond NB-IoT.












(7)


The CEPT Report 90 concludes that, based on the new options for bandwidths narrower than 5 MHz, the flexible use of 5G NR resource blocks and the use of other NB applications and technologies (currently limited to NB-IoT) can be applied for the 900 MHz frequency band. Therefore, it proposes amendments to the technical conditions set out by Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/1730 only as regards the 900 MHz frequency band. Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/1730 should therefore be amended accordingly.












(8)


The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Radio Spectrum Committee,





HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:



Article 1
The Annex to Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/1730 is replaced by the text in the Annex to this Decision.


Article 2
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.




Done at Brussels, 9 February 2026.


For the Commission

Henna VIRKKUNEN
            

Executive Vice-President






(1)  
            OJ L 108, 24.4.2002, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2002/676(1)/oj.

(2)  Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2021/1730 of 28 September 2021 on the harmonised use of the paired frequency bands 874,4-880,0 MHz and 919,4-925,0 MHz and of the unpaired frequency band 1 900-1 910 MHz for Railway Mobile Radio (notified under document C(2021) 6862) (OJ L 346, 30.9.2021, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2021/1730/oj).




ANNEX

PART A


TECHNICAL CONDITIONS FOR GSM-R IN 874,4-880,0 MHZ and 919,4-925,0 MHZ BANDS

For GSM-R, the following parameters apply:
GSM-R Downlink centre frequency fDL = 921 MHz + n × 0,2 MHz (1) where





GSM-R Uplink centre frequency fUL = fDL – 45 MHz
GSM-R channel bandwidth is 200 kHz

Table 1


In-block requirements for GSM-R Base Stations in 919.4-921 MHz uncoordinated deployment








GSM-R channel bandwidth




Maximum EIRP





200 kHz


= 70,5 dBm + (fDL – 921) × 40/3 dB




fDL is the centre frequency in MHz
There is no EIRP restriction on GSM-R Base Stations transmitting in the 921-925 MHz frequency band. Formula applicable to fDL ≤ 921 MHz. To allow higher EIRP the implementation of a coordination procedure or other mitigation measures must be applied.





PART B


TECHNICAL CONDITIONS FOR A SINGLE WIDEBAND RAILWAY MOBILE RADIO (RMR) CARRIER IN 874,4-880,0 MHZ and 919,4-925,0 MHZ BANDS


Technical conditions for RMR Base Stations using wideband technologies

The technical conditions defined in this section are in the form of a block-edge mask (BEM) applicable to wideband RMR Base Stations. The technical conditions defined in this section are valid for a single RMR carrier using wideband technologies. The BEM is developed on the basis that detailed coordination and cooperation agreements would not be required to be in place prior to network deployment. To allow multiple carriers or higher EIRP for RMR Base Stations than stated in the harmonised technical conditions, the implementation of a coordination procedure or other mitigation measures must be applied. Base Stations using active antenna systems are prohibited.
For radio access technologies other than GSM-R, the following parameters apply:






—


The lower edge of the lowest Resource Block shall be ≥ 919,6 MHz

Table 2


General in-block requirement – not mandatory








RMR channel bandwidth




Maximum EIRP





For any channel bandwidth


The following value may be used in case an upper bound is desired: = Min {65 dBm/channel, Maximum EIRP specific to the channel bandwidth}





Table 3


Specific in-block requirements for 5,6 MHz and 5 MHz channels mandatory for uncoordinated deployment








RMR channel bandwidth




Maximum EIRP





5,6 MHz


= 62 dBm/5,6 MHz




5 MHz


= 64,5 dBm/5 MHz + (fDL – 922,1) × 40/3 dB (Note 1)




fDL is the centre frequency in MHz.




NB-IoT in-band operation mode without power boost is allowed. NB-IoT guard-band operation mode and in-band operation mode with power boost are not allowed.






Note 1:


The calculation has been based on 25 Resource Blocks. The formula equally applies to 20 Resource Blocks.









Table 4


Specific in-block requirements for frequency channels of 3 MHz, and smaller than or equal to 200 kHz, which are mandatory for uncoordinated deployment








RMR channel bandwidth




Maximum EIRP





3 MHz


= 61 dBm/3 MHz + (fDL – 921,4) × 40/3 dB (Note 1)




200 kHz (Note 2)


= 70,5 dBm/200 kHz + (fDL – 921) × 40/3 dB (Note 3)




fDL is the centre frequency in MHz.










Note 1:


Formula applicable to fDL ≤ 922,5 MHz. No specific EIRP restriction above 922,5 MHz. The calculation is based on 15 Resource Blocks. It equally applies to 12 Resource Blocks.










Note 2:


Applicable to narrowband technologies.










Note 3:


Formula applicable to fDL ≤ 921,0 MHz. No specific EIRP restriction above 921 MHz.









Table 5


Out-of-band requirements








MHz from block edge (919.4-925 MHz)




EIRP limit





0 ≤ Δf < 0.2


32,5 dBm/200 kHz




0,2 ≤ Δf < 1


14 dBm/800 kHz




1 ≤ Δf < 10


5 dBm/MHz




On a case-by-case basis, at a national level, higher out-of-band limits may be applied.





Table 6


Baseline requirement







Frequency range


EIRP limit




880-915 MHz


-49 dBm/5 MHz




This requirement prevails over out-of-band requirements.









Technical conditions for RMR cab-radio using wideband technologies

For radio access technologies other than GSM-R, the following parameters apply:
Maximum output power: higher than 23 dBm and up to 31 dBm;
ACLR (1): 37 dB minimum;
Uplink power control is mandatory and shall be activated.

Technical conditions for RMR terminals, other than cab-radios, using wideband technologies

For radio access technologies other than GSM-R, the following parameters apply:
Maximum output power: 23 dBm;
ACLR: 30 dB minimum;
Uplink power control is mandatory and shall be activated.

Technical conditions for RMR receivers using wideband technologies

The band can be accessed if techniques to access spectrum and mitigate interference that provide an appropriate level of receiver performance to comply with the essential requirements of Directive 2014/53/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council (3) are used. Where relevant techniques are described in harmonised standards or parts thereof the references of which have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union in accordance with Directive 2014/53/EU, performance at least equivalent to the performance level associated with those techniques shall be ensured.

Table 7


Requirements on wideband RMR Base Station receiver characteristics








Parameter




Value





Level of the wanted signal


RefSens + 3 dB




Maximum interfering signal in 870-874,4 MHz (Note 1)


-34 dBm




The antenna connector of the radio module is the reference point. The reference sensitivity (RefSens) is the minimum mean power received at the antenna connector at which a specified minimum performance shall be met.
These requirements cover both blocking and third-order intermodulation.










Note 1:


A bandwidth of 200 kHz for the interfering signal is assumed.












Table 8


Requirements for wideband RMR cab-radio receiver characteristics (4)








Parameter




Value





Level of the wanted signal


RefSens + 3 dB




Maximum interfering signal in 880-918,9 MHz (Note 1)


-26 dBm




Maximum continuous wave interfering signal in 925,6-927 MHz


-13 dBm




Maximum continuous wave interfering signal in 927-960 MHz


-10 dBm




Maximum 5 MHz LTE interfering signal (lowest carrier at 927,6 MHz)


-13 dBm




The antenna connector of the radio module is the reference point. The reference sensitivity (RefSens) is the minimum mean power received at the antenna connector at which a specified minimum performance shall be met.
These requirements cover both blocking and third-order intermodulation.










Note 1:


A bandwidth of 400 kHz for the RFID interfering signal is assumed.









PART C


TECHNICAL CONDITIONS FOR WIDEBAND RMR IN 1 900-1 910 MHZ (TDD) BAND


Technical conditions for RMR Base Stations using wideband technologies

The technical conditions defined in this section are in the form of a block-edge mask (BEM) applicable to wideband RMR BS. The BEM is developed on the basis that detailed coordination and cooperation agreements would not be required to be in place prior to network deployment. Base Stations with active antenna systems are prohibited.
The following parameters apply:

Table 9


General in-block requirement mandatory for uncoordinated deployment








RMR channel bandwidth




Maximum EIRP





10 MHz


= 65 dBm/10 MHz (Note 1)










Note 1:


Member States may allow a higher EIRP level, subject to national coordination or other mitigation measures.












Table 10


Baseline requirement








Frequency range




EIRP limit





1 920  -1 980  MHz


-43 dBm/5 MHz





Technical conditions for RMR cab-radio using wideband technologies

The following parameters apply:
Maximum output power: 31 dBm;
ACLR: 37 dB minimum;
Unwanted output power in 1 920-1 980 MHz:






—


25 dBm/MHz maximum in 1 920-1 925 MHz,










—


30 dBm/MHz maximum in 1 925-1 980 MHz;




Uplink power control is mandatory and shall be activated.

Technical conditions for RMR terminals, other than cab-radios, using wideband technologies

The following parameters apply:
Maximum output power: 23 dBm;
ACLR: 30 dB minimum;
Uplink power control is mandatory and shall be activated.

Technical conditions for RMR receivers using wideband technologies

The band can be accessed if techniques to access spectrum and mitigate interference that provide an appropriate level of receiver performance to comply with the essential requirements of Directive 2014/53/EU are used. Where relevant techniques are described in harmonised standards or parts thereof the references of which have been published in the Official Journal of the European Union in accordance with Directive 2014/53/EU, performance at least equivalent to the performance level associated with those techniques shall be ensured.

Table 11


Requirements on wideband RMR Base Stations receiver characteristics








Parameter




Value





Level of the wanted signal


RefSens + 3 dB




Maximum 5 MHz LTE interfering signal in 1 805  -1 880  MHz


-20 dBm




The antenna connector of the Base Station receiver is the reference point. The reference sensitivity (RefSens) is the minimum mean power received at the antenna connector at which a specified minimum performance shall be met.
These requirements cover both blocking and third-order intermodulation.








Table 12


Requirements for wideband RMR cab-radio receiver characteristics (4)








Parameter




Value





Level of the wanted signal


RefSens + 3 dB




Maximum 5 MHz LTE interfering signal in 1 805  -1 880  MHz


-13 dBm




Maximum 5 MHz LTE interfering signal in 1 920  -1 980  MHz


-39 dBm




The antenna connector of the Base Station receiver is the reference point. The reference sensitivity (RefSens) is the minimum mean power received at the antenna connector at which a specified minimum performance shall be met.
These requirements cover both blocking and third-order intermodulation.










(1)


GSM-R channel raster of 200 kHz.










(2)


ACLR: Adjacent Channel Leakage power Ratio.










(3)


Directive 2014/53/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of radio equipment and repealing Directive 1999/5/EC (
OJ L 153, 22.5.2014, p. 62).










(4)


Requirements for RMR terminal receiver other than cab-radio are not covered in this table







ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec_impl/2026/291/oj
ISSN 1977-0677 (electronic edition)