Hani Alami

Biography

Hani Alami is a Jerusalem-born Palestinian telecommunications entrepreneur who has built some of the most significant independent internet infrastructure serving Palestinians. He is the founder of Coolnet, one of the largest wireless-based broadband providers in the Palestinian territories, which developed the biggest microwave network in the West Bank and extended its work to projects in Jordan, Turkey, South Africa, Togo, and beyond. Alami's ventures have focused on overcoming the structural barriers that constrain Palestinian connectivity, including restrictions on spectrum and infrastructure. By using wireless and microwave technologies, Coolnet reached rural and underserved areas where conventional broadband had not been deployed, making Alami a central figure in the expansion of Palestinian internet access. In 2013 Alami became, by several accounts, a prominent Palestinian technology entrepreneur when his group purchased the wireless-equipment firm Alvarion's assets — a notable cross-border transaction in a deeply divided market. He later led Jet Fiber, an ambitious project to bring fiber-optic broadband to East Jerusalem, a community long underserved by existing telecom providers. Beyond infrastructure, Alami has worked to build a Palestinian startup ecosystem. He announced JEST, an accelerator for young entrepreneurs in East Jerusalem, with the explicit goal of positioning the city as a technology bridge between Tel Aviv and Ramallah and nurturing a new generation of Palestinian founders. Through this combination of infrastructure-building, cross-border dealmaking, and ecosystem development, Alami has become one of the most prominent figures in Palestinian information technology and a frequently cited example of entrepreneurship that directly tackles the connectivity challenges of life under occupation.

Why This Person Matters

Alami built major independent internet infrastructure for Palestinians and was reportedly the first Palestinian to acquire an Israeli tech firm, making him a leading figure in Palestinian connectivity and entrepreneurship.

Historical Context

Hani Alami is a Jerusalem-born entrepreneur whose work has been defined by the structural barriers occupation places on Palestinian connectivity, especially restrictions on spectrum and infrastructure. Building in the West Bank and East Jerusalem after the Oslo years, he turned to wireless and microwave technologies precisely because conventional broadband could not be deployed in a fragmented, restricted territory. His 2013 acquisition of the assets of the Israeli firm Alvarion was a striking cross-border move in one of the world's most divided markets. His career reflects the improvisation required to deliver basic modern services to Palestinians under occupation.

Legacy & Influence

Alami founded Coolnet, one of the largest wireless broadband providers in the Palestinian territories, building the biggest microwave network in the West Bank and extending projects to Jordan, Turkey, South Africa, and Togo. He later led Jet Fiber to bring fiber-optic broadband to long-underserved East Jerusalem, and launched the JEST accelerator to position the city as a technology bridge between Tel Aviv and Ramallah. His combination of infrastructure-building, cross-border dealmaking, and ecosystem development made him a prominent example of entrepreneurship that directly confronts the connectivity challenges of occupation. He is frequently cited as a pioneer of independent Palestinian internet access.

Topics & Themes

• Jerusalem

References & Sources

1. Palestinian Telecom Entrepreneur Pays $10.5 Million for Israel's Alvarion — https://www.algemeiner.com/2013/09/17/palestinian-telecom-entrepreneur-pays-10-5-million-for-israels-alvarion/
2. Jet Fiber Empowers East Jerusalemites — https://thisweekinpalestine.com/jet-fiber-empowers-east-jerusalemites/