Vertical: Smart Cities
Application: Emergency response coordination, mobile video surveillance, encrypted communications, AI-powered urban services
Ecosystem: Ericsson, Spie, Unitel
Private Network: 5G
The southern French city of Istres has successfully deployed a private 5G network to enhance its emergency response capabilities and strengthen urban safety infrastructure. Located approximately 50 kilometers from Marseilles, Istres has positioned itself as a pioneer in European urban innovation through this strategic technology implementation.
The collaboration between Ericsson, Spie, and Unitel has established Istres as one of the first mid-sized European cities to implement a sovereign private 5G infrastructure. This network supports critical communications while bolstering public safety and enabling AI-powered urban solutions.
Mayor François Bernardini emphasized the strategic importance of this initiative, stating: “This private 5G initiative is central to Istres’ strategy for resilience, sovereignty and innovation. Above all, it lays the foundation for next-generation public services – more connected, responsive and tailored to the needs of our citizens.”
The private 5G deployment specifically targets improved coordination and rapid response capabilities through advanced fixed and mobile video surveillance systems and encrypted communications infrastructure. These capabilities are essential for cities seeking to enhance security and operational efficiency through real-time data access.
From a financial perspective, the private 5G implementation demonstrates significant cost advantages over traditional infrastructure approaches. Traditional fiber installation for each camera would have cost €30,000, while the private 5G setup costs only €5,000 per camera. Installing just 10 cameras is sufficient to cover the network’s total cost, creating a favorable return on investment.
The deployment supports broader sustainability objectives by reducing carbon emissions and decreasing energy consumption across city operations. These efficiency gains free up both financial and operational public resources, creating conditions for more responsive and sustainable public services.
Duncan Hawkins, EMEA vice-president of enterprise 5G at Ericsson, highlighted the broader implications: “The City of Istres is emerging as a pioneer of urban resilience and innovation in Europe. By embracing digital transformation and recognizing 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.”
The network is currently operational and will serve as the foundation for Istres’ plans to advance its low-carbon industrial zone initiatives in nearby Fos-sur-Mer. As one of the first mid-sized European cities to adopt this approach, Istres offers a valuable model for cities across Europe seeking to transition to digital and low-carbon operations while maintaining cost-effective municipal services.
