Siemens, Equans and Infrabel complete Belgium's ETCS Level 2
posted on 15th Dec 2025 10:58
The consortium Siemens Mobility and Equans, in collaboration with the Belgian railway infrastructure manager Infrabel, announced the timely completion and commissioning of a groundbreaking project to modernize Belgium’s national rail network. With start in 2015, the initiative has successfully upgraded 2,274 km of track with the ETCS Level 2 technology.
Spanning the entire nation and prioritizing key European transport corridors, this modernization positions Belgium at the forefront of Europe’s rail digital transformation. Within the consortium, Siemens Mobility is responsible for implementing and modernizing ETCS Level 2 and interlocking systems across most of the country’s rail infrastructure, while Equans is handling the comprehensive on-site installation, including civil engineering, electrical works, hardware deployment, cabling, and rigorous documentation.
Before Belgium’s ETCS upgrade project, the railway network relied on legacy systems. Driven by European regulations for improved safety and interoperability, Belgium launched its 'ETCS Masterplan', aiming to equip all lines with advanced ETCS technology by December 2025 - significantly ahead of the EU’s own deadline.
The comprehensive deployment of ETCS across the Belgian network, launched in 2015, follows a strategic line-by-line approach prioritizing key routes and international connections. Siemens’ Trainguard 200 RBC (ETCS L2) and Simis W (Interlocking) technology enable optimized train movements via GSM-R communication.
The geographic coverage includes major Belgian cities, linking Bruges, Ghent, Hasselt, Arlon, Verviers, and Mons, creating a rail network that spans from north to south and east to west. This rollout seamlessly integrates 46 interlockings, 37 Radio Block Centers, over 19,000 balises, and approximately 4,536 signals. With a focus on critical European transport corridors and national railway axes, the deployment underscores Belgium’s commitment to building an efficient, interconnected rail infrastructure. Belgium has now achieved full ETCS deployment across its entire rail network, with comprehensive coverage at both Level 1 and Level 2.
