SICT Tenders 5G Network for Central, Northern Rail Corridors

Mexico’s Agency for Trains and Integrated Public Transport (ATTRAPI) launched an international public tender for a specialized 5G Standalone railway telecommunications network covering 675km across the Mexico City–Irapuato and Saltillo–Nuevo Laredo passenger rail corridors. The project establishes a technological foundation for mission-critical train signaling, real-time traffic control, and operational safety within the federal government’s broader passenger rail expansion. By requiring original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) under free trade agreement frameworks, the procurement opens strategic opportunities for global telecom and rail infrastructure vendors while advancing cross-border logistics and regional connectivity.

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Mexico launched an international public tender for a specialized 5G Standalone (SA) telecommunications network. The system will support operations across two upcoming Mexico City-Queretaro-Irapuato and Saltillo–Nuevo Laredo passenger train lines. 

The Ministry of Infrastructure, Communications and Transportation (SICT), through the Integrated Train and Public Transport Agency (ATTRAPI), a decentralized body created by decree on January 13, 2026, launched the international public tender. The 5G SA system will support operations across 675km of rail tracks divided between the two lines.

According to the document published on Compras MX, the tender is open to both individuals and legal entities from Mexico as well as foreign companies from countries that hold active free trade agreements with Mexico containing government procurement chapters. The contract tender covers the design, supply, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of mission-critical railway radiocommunications. The contract focuses on the technological infrastructure required for trains, trackside installations, and central control stations to communicate during operations. 

The 5G SA network will operate independently of commercial cellular networks and legacy 4G infrastructure. Its primary functions include backing up railway signaling, monitoring traffic control, tracking train positioning, and enabling real-time emergency communications. 

The contract will be awarded under a fixed-price structure evaluated through a points-and-percentages mechanism, allocating up to 50 points for technical proposals and 50 points for economic proposals. Bidders must achieve at least 37.50 points on the technical evaluation for their economic bids to be opened. Additionally, participating companies must demonstrate that they are the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the primary Radio Access Network (RAN) solution being offered. 

Due to the geographic extent of the two corridors, ATTRAPI confirmed that site visits will not be conducted. Bidders must prepare proposals using the data and technical specifications available on the government's Compras MX procurement platform. 

According to the official bidding schedule published in the Federal Official Gazette(DOF), the clarification meeting is set for Aug. 10, 2026, followed by the submission and opening of proposals on Sep. 14, 2026. The contract decision will be announced on Sep. 25, 2026. The execution period spans 1,400 natural days, with an estimated project start date of Oct. 1, 2026. Project phases range from executive design and detailed engineering through equipment delivery, civil works, commissioning, and long-term maintenance support.

Expansion of Mexico's Passenger Rail Network

The projects involved are part of the federal government's plan to construct at least 2,377km of public railway lines, positioning passenger rail as a core infrastructure priority and territorial integration policy under President Claudia Sheinbaum. As reported by MBN, the rail agenda encompasses key corridors including AIFA–Pachuca, Mexico City–Queretaro, Queretaro–Irapuato, and Saltillo–Nuevo Laredo, as well as future extensions toward Guadalajara, San Luis Potoso, and Los Mochis, Sinaloa.

To support execution across these lines, the federal government has contracted 88,559t of rail valued at MX$2.07 billion (US$120 million) and allocated MX$26.02 billion for railway equipment, including 15 trains for the AIFA–Pachuca route and 47 diesel-electric trains for northern routes, according to Andrés Lajous, Head, ATTRAPI. 

Furthermore, SICT’s Institutional Liaison and Heritage Unit reports significant right-of-way progress across priority routes, reaching 98% on AIFA–Pachuca, 80% on Mexico City–Queretaro, 88% on Queretaro–Irapuato, and 89% on Saltillo–Nuevo Laredo through agreements involving 123 ejidos and communities.