Ministry of Communications and Israel Innovation Authority Announce NIS 4 Million Investment in Innovation Project in the Western Negev

New joint initiative will strengthen advanced communications infrastructure and promote technological resilience through the Technology Center for Security and Resilience

The Israel Innovation Authority and the Ministry of Communication announced a joint investment of NIS 4 million over three years to support a new innovation project to be implemented through the Technology Center for Security and Resilience in the Western Negev.

The initiative aims to advance technological and regional innovation by establishing a structured partner network in the field of advanced communications infrastructure, bringing together government entities, local authorities, communications companies, and startups.

Minister of Communications, Dr. Shlomo Karhi, said: “I am proud of the teams that led this important initiative to transform the Western Negev from a front line of coping into a front line of innovation. Strengthening communications and technology infrastructure in the periphery is a prerequisite for growth, national resilience, and narrowing gaps. Through partnerships between the government, local authorities, and the communications market, we are connecting residents of the south to the heart of technological activity, enabling them not only to benefit from innovation, but to lead it.”

CEO of the Israel Innovation Authority, Dror Bin, said: “Advanced communications infrastructure is the foundational layer of any modern innovation economy and a necessary condition for national resilience, regional growth, and maintaining Israel’s competitive advantage. Investment in the Western Negev is not only an investment in technology, it is an investment in the ability of regions facing security challenges to become hubs for technological development and experimentation. Through the Technology Center for Security and Resilience, we connect civilian and security needs with the advanced capabilities of Israel’s high-tech industry, creating an infrastructure for long-term economic growth and innovation with global impact.”

VP of Strategy, Nesia Yuditz: “Innovation processes in the field of communications infrastructure are a significant and essential axis of action that supports the Ministry of Communications in fulfilling its role as an advanced regulator, particularly in light of recent technological developments. Implementing the project in the Western Negev, in partnership with the Technology Center for Security and Resilience, enables the creation of an optimal experimental environment for all relevant stakeholders. I am excited about the joint work with the Center.”

The initiative reflects a broader national vision for innovation in communications infrastructure, technology that serves as the backbone of Israel’s “Startup Nation” and a key driver of economic growth and global technological leadership. The project builds on the innovation conference held by the Ministry of Communications in Sderot in September, where leading companies including Nokia, Pelephone, Bezeq, HOT, Partner, and Cellcom presented recent technological developments. Several of these companies have since joined the initiative as partners.

As part of the project, Beta sites will be established in selected local authorities across the Western Negev, alongside dedicated resources for pilot programs by startups offering innovative communications-infrastructure solutions. In addition, structured work processes and organizational support will be provided to leading institutions tasked with identifying challenges and implementing innovative responses.

The initiative is expected to deliver combined impact by supporting technological breakthroughs while enabling regulatory adaptation to real-world needs. At the regional level, it will accelerate the nationwide deployment of advanced infrastructure, with particular emphasis on peripheral and border-adjacent areas.