Strategic 5G Industry Alliance Aims to Accelerate Adoption Across French Industrial Sector
A new coalition has formed to accelerate the rollout of 5G technology across French industries. Bringing together key stakeholders, this strategic alliance aims to boost the deployment and integration of 5G solutions within the country’s industrial sector.
Tl;dr
An Ambitious Alliance Reshapes the French Industrial Landscape
A new chapter is quietly unfolding within the French industrial sector. The formation of the Alliance 5G industrielle, a coalition bringing together leading names such as Airbus, ArcelorMittal, Ericsson, and SNCF, signals more than just another industry group—it reveals an urgent desire to future-proof France’s manufacturing backbone. At the heart of this initiative lies a shared conviction: integrating private 5G networks, alongside advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, is no longer optional but a strategic imperative to maintain both competitiveness and sovereignty.
Leadership Anchored by Industry Stalwarts
Guidance for this ambitious venture falls to two seasoned leaders. On one side stands Nadège Meurgues, who steers major corporate accounts at Ericsson France; on the other, Christophe Bejina, Chief Information Officer at Alcatel Submarine Networks. Their complementary backgrounds—straddling telecommunications and industrial operations—enable them to champion a vision that balances innovation with practical realism. Meurgues doesn’t mince words: « L’industrie française doit pleinement tirer parti des réseaux mobiles de nouvelle génération, c’est même une nécessité… La 5G industrielle n’est pas un effet de mode… c’est un enjeu de souveraineté, de compétitivité et de sécurité. »
Why unite such diverse stakeholders? There are several driving forces:
Each of these aims directly supports France’s ambition for industrial leadership.
A Strategic Link with National Policy
However, personalities matter as much as institutional frameworks. Philippe Herbert, credited with initiating the state-led Mission 5G industrielle, emerges as a linchpin in aligning this new alliance with national priorities. Through his work bridging strategic sectors, operators, and government bodies, Herbert helps ground the Alliance’s work in real-world policy—and vice versa. As Bejina remarks: « L’Alliance s’inscrit dans le prolongement de la stratégie nationale tout en apportant un retour d’expérience du terrain… Ce sont désormais les acteurs industriels eux-mêmes qui prennent le relais en traduisant les ambitions nationales en déploiements concrets. » Another key player, Thomas Hervieu of AGURRE, brings vital operational expertise by advocating for professional users’ needs and navigating complex regulatory terrains.
Towards Real-World Impact: Accelerating Industrial 5G Adoption
What does all this mean on the ground? The Alliance isn’t settling for rhetoric. Instead, it’s launching into action: facilitating regular exchanges across industries, publishing detailed technical documentation, and making its presence felt at specialized events both in France and abroad. The overriding goal is crystal clear: deliver ultra-reliable and secure mobile connectivity tailored to the unique demands of modern industry. By forging tight connections between digital innovation and public policy implementation, this coalition positions itself as an indispensable bridge—one that may prove critical as France navigates growing technological sovereignty challenges.