Istres, France, Introduces Sovereign Private 5G with Autonomous Control of Data and Infrastructure - A Leading Example for Small and Medium-sized Cities in Europe
Ericsson announced on June 4, 2025 that it will deploy a private 5G network in Istres in southern France. The objective is to promote smart cities. The project, in collaboration with local system integrator SPIE and edge/cloud company Unitel, will enable small and medium-sized European...
2025/07/25
Posted on 2025/07/25
Ericsson announced on June 4, 2025 that it will deploy a private 5G network in Istres in southern France. The objective is to promote smart cities. The project, in collaboration with local system integrator SPIE and edge/cloud company Unitel, could serve as a model case for private 5G utilization by small and medium-sized cities in Europe.
The new private 5G network is a "sovereign private 5G" (sovereign private 5G) in which municipalities control and operate their own data and infrastructure, and is one of the pioneering examples for small and medium-sized cities in Europe. The 5G network will be used for the time being to connect the city's surveillance camera network, which will be 83% less expensive than the fiber optic network. Future plans also include expansion to include AI-based administrative services, DX in the nearby Fos-sur-Mer industrial zone, emergency response, and encrypted networks.
In a statement, the municipality said, "This initiative supports Istres' long-term goals of AI integration and smart city expansion. It will support critical communications, enhance public safety, and enable AI-enabled urban solutions," it said. Duncan Hawkin, Ericsson's VP of Enterprise 5G in the EMEA region, also commented, "Istres is emerging as a pioneer in urban resilience and innovation in Europe.
