This article was originally published by eleconomista.es. See the original article here.

Over the past decade, the concept of smart cities has often been associated with delivery robots or futuristic scenes of urban life. However, as the sector has matured, we have learned that a city does not become smart simply by accumulating technology, but by ensuring that all those systems are connected and work together in a coordinated way. The real challenge is creating that solid infrastructure, based on high-capacity connectivity networks, so it can collect real-time data and turn it into decisions that improve mobility, sustainability, safety and public services, all for the benefit of its residents.

Spain is now at precisely this strategic turning point. One clear example is the huge interest generated by the RedCyTI call to support smart cities and territories, which doubled its initial budget due to the high volume of applications. Spanish cities have recognised that digital transformation is no longer optional, but a strategic priority for attracting investment and responding to new urban challenges through public-private collaboration. Examples such as Málaga, highlighted in the IESE Cities in Motion 2026 report, show that urban innovation is not limited to major global capitals.

Europe offers further examples of how connectivity can transform areas as varied as social inclusion, healthcare and mobility. One example is Sunderland in the United Kingdom. Sunderland has deployed a city-wide 5G network and IoT infrastructure that, among many use cases, is increasing supply chain agility through autonomous vehicles, deploying assistive technologies for vulnerable people, and anticipating issues linked to weather or traffic through sensors that support better planning for pedestrian and active transport activity. This has helped the city win the People’s Choice Award at the Digital Leaders Impact Awards and become a finalist in the World Smart City Awards. But the impact goes beyond awards and technology: the creation of 22 Digital Hubs in vulnerable areas has brought digital tools closer to more than 200,000 residents and helped tackle the digital divide.

Another ambitious project is Roma 5G. It shows how one of the continent’s most visited and historic cities can become one of Europe’s most connected and sustainable smart cities. To achieve this, a shared 5G infrastructure has been deployed across its public transport network, helping improve mobility management, optimise urban services and respond more effectively to challenges such as mass tourism. In fact, Rome has already been recognised for its innovation and urban transformation as Smart City of 2025 by the World Smart City Awards, held at the Smart City Expo World Congress (SCEWC).

Projects such as the London Underground, where an advanced connectivity network has been deployed to act as the city’s underground 5G backbone, show what is possible. This provides uninterrupted high-speed mobile coverage for millions of passengers across stations and tunnels, while establishing the infrastructure needed to activate critical real-time use cases, including emergency services for authorised personnel.

None of these success stories has been achieved in isolation. Developing a true smart city requires the consolidation of public-private partnerships. Local authorities bring regulatory knowledge, social vision and a deep understanding of their citizens’ needs; the private sector brings technological strength, investment capacity and technical expertise.

Only through this joint work, where private experts co-design connectivity solutions tailored to public challenges, is it possible to deploy neutral, efficient and future-ready networks. The public administration sets the direction; the private sector builds the infrastructure that makes it possible.

Urban intelligence, therefore, is not validated by the mere installation of technology, but by the ability to connect that technology with human needs. Success lies in building digital networks and infrastructure that make cities more efficient, sustainable and prepared for emergencies.

Julio González has 20 years of experience in telecommunications, home connectivity and commercial leadership across Europe and Latin America. He is Country Manager of Boldyn Networks in Spain, a company that designs, builds and maintains advanced network infrastructure in the most complex environments. This includes major transport systems, airports, industrial centres and smart cities.