Istres partners with Ericsson, Spie, and Unitel

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 centers, embracing scalable solutions for public sector applications.

Key aspects of the deployment include sophisticated video surveillance and encrypted communication channels adhering to the highest industry standards. François Bernardini, Mayor of Istres, highlights the deployment's impact: " 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.”

Ericsson, in collaboration with SPIE and Unitel Group, has ensured seamless network integration, enhancing the city’s emergency response capabilities through improved coordination and rapid deployment of surveillance technology. The project's cost-effectiveness is particularly notable. Traditional fiber installation for each camera would have been €30,000, including ducts, civil works, installation, and the camera itself. In contrast, the private 5G setup costs only €5,000 per camera, encompassing installation, a 5G router, and the camera. Installing just 10 cameras is sufficient to cover the network's cost, demonstrating a favorable ROI.

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. These combined efficiencies free up public resources — both financial and operational — creating the conditions necessary for the emergence of new, more responsive, and sustainable public services.

Duncan Hawkins, VP EMEA, Enterprise 5G at Ericsson states, " 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. As one of the first mid-sized European cities to adopt this approach, Istres is paving the way for the modernization of public services and the financial optimization of municipal operations — offering a valuable model for cities across Europe looking to build on this experience.

Looking forward, Istres intends to use the private 5G network to advance its low-carbon industrial zone ambitions in Fos-sur-Mer, establishing a model for other mid-sized cities transitioning to digital and low-carbon operations.

The deployment is currently operational, with plans to demonstrate its capabilities at VivaTech 2025.