Germany's rail network collapses after digital radio system fails overnight

Deutsche Bahn’s entire rail network ground to a halt on the evening of 23 June 2026. A total failure of the digital GSM-R radio system left trains unable to operate, stranding passengers across Germany. The disruption lasted for over two hours before services began to recover. The outage started at around 10:30 PM and ended shortly before 12:50 AM. The GSM-R system, used exclusively by DB InfraGO for secure communication, is vital for train coordination, rerouting, and emergency contact. Without it, the entire rail network came to a standstill.

Philipp Nagl, CEO of DB InfraGO, later apologised for the disruption. He explained that the failure followed a routine replacement of a technical component. By the morning of 24 June, most services were running smoothly again.

GSM-R is a dedicated digital radio network, restricted to authorised devices. Its successor, the 5G-based FRMCS, is already under real-world testing in Germany. The new system is set to replace GSM-R gradually by 2035. The outage highlighted the critical role of GSM-R in rail operations. With FRMCS testing underway, Deutsche Bahn aims to transition to a more modern communication system in the coming years. Passengers affected by the disruption saw services resume the following morning.