In the global race for connectivity, the challenge is not just what to build, but how to build it efficiently, affordably, and across difficult terrain. Israel, a country that transformed resource scarcity into technological ingenuity, has become a silent workshop for next-generation telecommunications infrastructure. Instead of just exporting consumer gadgets, Israeli firms are developing the core components that underpin the world’s digital future. We explore four such companies and the critical implications their advancements hold for Australia’s vast and complex network landscape.
- DriveNets: Ripping Up the Telecom Rulebook
DriveNets is an Israeli Audio and Telecommunications company redefining the expensive and bulky nature of traditional network towers. DriveNet’s technology allows network towers to be developed through smaller modular “white-box” systems. These “white-box” systems can be operated separately or together, depending on the needs of the provider and the user base of its customers. This shift shatters the decades-old vendor lock-in model, offering immense cost savings and flexibility. By integrating AI to manage traffic and predict needs automatically, carriers can rapidly and affordably scale their core network capacity to handle the massive demands of 5G and fibre growth. For Australia, this is a game-changer. Adopting DriveNets’ disaggregated model could dramatically lower the capitol expenditure for major carriers like Telstra and Optus, speeding up the rollout of high-capacity services and making it cheaper to connect regional and remote communities on the NBN backbone.
2. hiSky: Satellite Comms for the Rest of Us
Satellite communication used to be clunky and expensive, but hiSky is changing that. They’ve developed affordable, compact satellite terminals and a resilient network system designed for mass adoption, particularly for IoT (Internet of Things) and M2M (Machine-to-Machine) applications over both GEO and LEO satellites. Their solution democratises SatCom by offering a low-cost, easy-to-deploy option that enables reliable connectivity where cell towers simply don’t exist. This is a vital breakthrough for Australia’s massive resource sectors. Mining, agriculture, and logistics span vast distances with zero ground connectivity, and hiSky provides a lifeline, offering affordable, resilient backhaul for tracking remote assets, monitoring crops, and managing logistics fleets, making these industries smarter and safer.
3. Actelis Networks: Supercharging the Copper You Already Have
In the race to fibre, Actelis Networks provides a crucial solution for maximising the life of existing copper infrastructure. They use advanced transmission technology to deliver high-speed Ethernet over copper lines, creating sophisticated Hybrid Fibre-Copper solutions. This allows operators to squeeze hundreds of Mbps of reliable bandwidth out of their current assets, bridging the gap between legacy infrastructure and modern speed demands without requiring costly, time-consuming full fibre rollouts. Importantly, their systems are cyber-hardened, making them ideal for critical infrastructure. This technology is highly relevant to Australia’s NBN Fibre to the Node (FTTN) and Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC) components, offering a cost-effective upgrade path for the existing network. Furthermore, the cyber-hardened design is essential for securing Australia’s utility grids and smart city infrastructure against modern threats.
4. Ceragon
Ceragon Networks is a global leader in wireless backhaul, which is the vital link that connects mobile phone towers to the main network infrastructure. Their central innovation lies in achieving extremely high capacity and efficiency using microwave and millimetre-wave radio technologies. Ceragon develops powerful 5G-ready solutions capable of delivering speeds comparable to fibre optic cables, even in frequency environments that are complex or heavily used. They achieve this high performance through proprietary technology designed to minimise interference and make the maximum use of the available radio spectrum. These solutions allow network providers to deploy their 5G networks both quickly and cost-effectively, particularly in locations where installing physical fibre optic cable is either too difficult or prohibitively expensive. This is especially relevant for Australia, as Ceragon offers a flexible, high-speed alternative to fibre for connecting remote or challenging base stations, thereby accelerating 5G coverage across large distances and regional centres.
The Takeaway
These four companies demonstrate Israel’s focus on efficiency, resilience, and smart utilisation of technology. By closely observing and adopting their innovations, Australia can accelerate its digital transformation, reduce the cost of next-generation network upgrades, and significantly improve connectivity and inclusion across its geographically diverse landscape. It’s a clear case of strategic partnership paving the way for a more connected and efficient future down under!
Which of these sectors do you think faces the greatest challenge in Australia right now?
To learn more, please contact our trade officer Lachlan Corne to find out how you can get in touch: Lachlan.Corne@israeltrade.gov.il
israeltrade.org.au 