# SPIE ICS
> SPIE deployed Ericsson private 5G for the City of Istres, France, cutting surveillance costs and enabling smart-city AI applications.

Canonical page: https://cradlepoint.ericsson.com/our-partners/profile/spie-ics
Marketplace: Ericsson
Last updated: 2026-10-26
Logo: https://assets.partnerfleet.app/c6h8d3qwxuk2x4xm6z27dg35ktlq

## At a glance
- Solutions: [Ericsson neutral host](https://cradlepoint.ericsson.com/our-partners/t/solutions/private-cellular-networks)
- Partner type: Reseller, Wireless WAN partner
- Where they work: Europe, Middle-East, and Africa, Western Europe
- Website: [www.spie.com](http://www.spie.com)

## Call to actions
- **Need help finding a partner?** — submit the contact form on https://cradlepoint.ericsson.com/our-partners/profile/spie-ics

## Description
SPIE partnered with Ericsson and Unitel to deploy a private 5G network for the City of Istres in southern France, establishing Istres as one of the first mid-sized European cities to implement sovereign private 5G infrastructure. SPIE handled the on-the-ground deployment and system integration, supporting critical communications, public safety and AI-powered urban solutions.

The Istres deployment reduces surveillance camera installation costs by more than 80 percent by using wireless connectivity instead of fiber, while improving secure emergency communications and enabling edge computing for AI-ready urban security. The project sets a blueprint for other mid-sized European cities looking to modernize connectivity without major upfront fiber investment, with plans to expand coverage to a nearby industrial zone.

## Benefits
- **Named Ericsson deployment partner for smart cities** — SPIE partnered with Ericsson and Unitel on the Istres deployment, one of the first sovereign private 5G smart-city projects in Europe.
- **On-the-ground private 5G system integration** — SPIE handled the on-the-ground deployment and system integration for the Istres private 5G network.
- **Cuts surveillance installation costs by over 80%** — The private 5G deployment reduces surveillance camera installation costs by more than 80 percent compared to traditional fiber-based infrastructure.

## Services
- **Private 5g deployment and integration** — On-the-ground deployment and system integration of Ericsson private 5G infrastructure.
- **Smart city security systems** — Wireless-based mobile video surveillance and secure emergency communication systems.
- **Edge computing integration** — Edge computing infrastructure to support AI-ready urban applications.

## FAQ
### What is SPIE's Ericsson private 5G project?
SPIE partnered with Ericsson and Unitel to deploy a private 5G network for the City of Istres in southern France, handling on-the-ground deployment and system integration.

### How did SPIE, Ericsson and Unitel divide the Istres project?
Ericsson supplied the core 5G technology and security protocols, SPIE handled on-the-ground deployment and system integration, and Unitel Group provided additional local support.

### What cost savings did the Istres deployment achieve?
The private 5G deployment reduces surveillance camera installation costs by more than 80 percent compared to traditional fiber-based infrastructure.

### What use cases does the Istres network support?
The network supports critical communications, mobile video surveillance, public safety and AI-powered urban solutions, with plans to expand to a nearby low-carbon industrial zone.

## Resources
- [Istres partners with Ericsson, SPIE and Unitel](https://www.intelligentcio.com/eu/2025/06/04/istres-partners-with-ericsson-spie-and-unitel-to-launch-private-5g-network-for-enhanced-urban-connectivity/) — Coverage of the Ericsson, SPIE and Unitel private 5G deployment for the City of Istres, France.