How to Build a WISP Network in Lebanon — Complete 2026 Guide

The WISP Opportunity in Lebanon

Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs) fill critical connectivity gaps across Lebanon, particularly in areas where fixed-line infrastructure is limited or unreliable. From mountain villages in Mount Lebanon and the Chouf to agricultural areas in the Bekaa Valley and the Akkar, WISPs deliver internet access using radio equipment mounted on towers, rooftops, and elevated terrain. This guide walks through every component needed to build a WISP network in Lebanon, from planning to subscriber management.

Network Architecture Overview

A WISP network consists of four layers:

1. Internet Uplink: Your connection to the internet — typically fiber from Ogero or a licensed ISP, leased line, or a high-capacity wireless backhaul to a fiber POP.
2. Core Network: Routers and switches at your main site that handle routing, NAT, firewall, bandwidth management, and subscriber authentication.
3. Backhaul: High-capacity point-to-point wireless links connecting your tower sites to each other and to the core network.
4. Access (Last Mile): Point-to-multipoint base stations at tower sites serving subscriber CPE devices installed at customer locations.

Core Network Equipment

Core Router

The core router handles all subscriber traffic, runs PPPoE or DHCP server, manages queues (bandwidth shaping), and runs firewall rules. Recommended options:

• MikroTik CCR2116-12G-4S+: 16 ARM cores at 2 GHz, 16 GB RAM. Handles 2000+ PPPoE subscribers with full queue trees and firewall. The go-to router for medium to large WISPs.
• MikroTik RB5009UG+S+IN: Budget option for WISPs under 300 subscribers. Quad-core ARM64 with 1G + 2.5G + SFP+ ports. Excellent single-core performance for PPPoE.
• MikroTik CCR2004-16G-2S+: Mid-range option for 500-1000 subscribers. 4 ARM cores, 4 GB RAM, dual redundant PSU.

Aggregation Switch

Connect all your backhaul links and servers to an aggregation switch:

• MikroTik CRS326-24G-2S+IN: 24 Gigabit ports + 2x 10G SFP+. Desktop form factor for smaller installations.
• CRS328-24P-4S+RM: 24 PoE ports + 4x 10G SFP+ in rackmount. Powers base station radios and provides 10G uplinks.

Backhaul Links

Backhaul connects your tower sites to the core network. These are dedicated point-to-point links that carry all subscriber traffic from remote towers back to your central location.

Recommended Backhaul Radios

• Mimosa B5C: 5 GHz connectorized backhaul radio delivering up to 1.5 Gbps aggregate throughput. GPS-synchronized for frequency reuse across multiple links. Pair with external dishes for links from 1 to 40+ km. The B5C is the workhorse of Lebanese WISP backhaul networks.
• Mimosa B11: 11 GHz licensed-band backhaul for interference-free links. Delivers 1.5 Gbps aggregate. Requires frequency licensing in Lebanon but provides guaranteed performance in congested areas. Ideal for critical backbone links.
• Ubiquiti AF60 LR: 60 GHz backhaul with automatic failover to 5 GHz. Multi-gigabit throughput over short distances (up to 12 km). Excellent for connecting towers in visual line of sight.
• MikroTik LHG XL 5 AC: Budget backhaul option combining a 27 dBi dish with 802.11ac radio. Achieves 300-500 Mbps over 10-30 km links. Suitable for connecting low-capacity remote sites.

Link Planning

Before purchasing backhaul equipment, perform proper link planning:

• Use tools like Mimosa Design Tool, Ubiquiti airLink, or Radio Mobile to simulate link performance
• Verify clear line of sight between sites — Lebanon's mountainous terrain creates both opportunities (elevated sites) and challenges (valleys and ridgelines blocking paths)
• Calculate link budget: transmit power + antenna gain - free space path loss - fade margin must remain positive
• Account for Fresnel zone clearance — the first Fresnel zone must be at least 60% clear of obstacles for reliable performance
• Plan for rain fade: 5 GHz links lose 0.5-2 dB during heavy Mediterranean rain. Add 10-15 dB fade margin for links that must maintain uptime during storms

Access Network (Subscriber CPE)

The access layer serves subscribers directly. Base stations at tower sites broadcast to subscriber CPE devices mounted on rooftops.

Base Station Options

• MikroTik mANTBox AX 15s: WiFi 6 sector base station with integrated 15 dBi 120-degree antenna. Serves subscribers within a 120-degree arc. Use three units per tower for 360-degree coverage. WiFi 6 OFDMA improves multi-subscriber performance significantly.
• MikroTik BaseBox 5: Connectorized outdoor 5 GHz radio that pairs with external sector antennas. Flexible antenna selection for coverage customization.
• Mimosa A6: Multi-user MIMO base station operating in TDMA mode with GPS synchronization. Handles up to 100+ subscribers per sector with consistent performance. A premium option for high-density areas.

Subscriber CPE Options

• MikroTik SXTsq 5 AX: WiFi 6 CPE with integrated directional antenna. Compact form factor mounts on the subscriber's rooftop or balcony. Pairs with MikroTik base stations for maximum compatibility.
• Mimosa C5x: Connectorized CPE that pairs with external dishes for extended range. Designed specifically for Mimosa A5 and A6 base stations. Modular antenna system adapts to different link distances.
• Ubiquiti LiteBeam AC: Budget CPE with integrated 23 dBi directional antenna. Works with any 5 GHz base station. Good for subscriber installations within 5-10 km of the tower.

Tower and Mounting Infrastructure

Tower selection depends on your terrain and coverage goals:

• Rooftop mounting: The most common approach in Lebanese cities and villages. Mount base stations on existing building rooftops using steel masts. Obtain permission from the building owner.
• Self-supporting towers: For rural areas without suitable buildings. 20-40 meter lattice towers provide the elevation needed to clear terrain obstacles. Requires structural engineering and foundation work.
• Existing telecom towers: Co-location on existing towers reduces cost but requires agreements with tower owners.

Key considerations for Lebanese terrain:

• Elevation matters more than tower height. A rooftop at 800 meters elevation overlooks valleys that a 40-meter tower at 200 meters cannot reach.
• Lebanon's narrow coastal strip means many subscribers look up toward mountain towers — ideal for long-range PtMP coverage.
• Wind loading: coastal areas experience strong Mediterranean winds. Use proper guy wires and reinforced mounts.

Subscriber Management and Billing

A WISP needs tools to manage subscribers, enforce speed plans, and collect payments:

• PPPoE Authentication: MikroTik RouterOS runs a PPPoE server that authenticates each subscriber with a username and password. Combined with RADIUS (FreeRADIUS), you can enforce speed limits, data caps, and expiration dates per subscriber.
• Queue Trees: RouterOS queue trees provide per-subscriber bandwidth management. Assign each subscriber a guaranteed minimum (CIR) and burstable maximum (MIR) bandwidth. See our MikroTik Queue Management guide for detailed configuration.
• Billing Software: Use ISP billing platforms that integrate with MikroTik RADIUS — popular options include Splynx and WISPHub. These handle invoicing, payment tracking, automatic suspension for non-payment, and subscriber self-service portals.

Where to Buy WISP Equipment in Lebanon

HI-GAIN is Lebanon's primary supplier of WISP equipment from MikroTik, Ubiquiti, Mimosa, and Cambium Networks. We stock:

• Core routers and aggregation switches
• Backhaul radios and antennas
• Base station sectors and subscriber CPE devices
• PoE injectors, surge protectors, and outdoor mounting hardware

Visit our availability page for real-time stock, or call +961 3 337 666 for WISP project consultation and bulk pricing. Browse equipment by brand: MikroTik, Ubiquiti, Mimosa, Cambium.