Ericsson has announced the successful deployment of a private 5G network in the City of Istres, located in the South of France, marking a significant advancement in European urban innovation.
This collaboration, carried out in partnership with SPIE and Unitel, establishes Istres as one of the first mid-sized European cities to implement a sovereign private 5G infrastructure that supports critical communications, bolsters public safety and enables AI-powered urban solutions.
Private 5G networks are increasingly vital for cities aiming to enhance security and operational efficiency through mobile video surveillance and real-time data access. Istres is setting a new standard for resilient urban centres, embracing scalable solutions for public sector applications.
The project supports long-term objectives, including AI integration and smart city expansion, while contributing to sustainability goals such as reducing carbon emissions and decreasing energy consumption.
Duncan Hawkins, VP EMEA, Enterprise 5G at Ericsson said, ” The City of Istres is emerging as a pioneer of urban resilience and innovation in Europe. By embracing digital transformation and recognising the limitations of traditional urban planning, Istres has turned to private 5G to deploy a scalable, non-intrusive communications network that supports next-generation public services.”
“As one of the first mid-sized European cities to adopt this approach, Istres is paving the way for the modernisation of public services and the financial optimisation of municipal operations, offering a valuable model for cities across Europe looking to build on this experience.”
