Mimosa B5C Backhaul for Lebanese WISPs — Guide

Mimosa B5C: Lebanon's Highest-Capacity 5 GHz Connectorized Backhaul

The Mimosa B5C is a connectorized 5 GHz point-to-point backhaul radio delivering up to 1.5 Gbps aggregate IP throughput (1.7 Gbps PHY) via 4x4:4 MIMO OFDM. It accepts any external antenna through its four N-type connectors, operates from 4.9 to 6.2 GHz, and includes GPS synchronization for multi-link frequency reuse on the same tower. For Lebanese WISPs building backbone networks across Mount Lebanon's ridgelines, the Bekaa Valley's flat terrain, and Beirut's rooftop-to-rooftop links, the B5C provides the raw throughput and antenna flexibility that locked-antenna radios cannot match.

HI-GAIN stocks Mimosa B5C units at our Dora, Beirut warehouse. As Lebanon's authorized Mimosa distributor, we provide local warranty, technical consultation on antenna pairing, and bulk pricing for WISP operators. Call +961 3 337 666 for availability.

B5C Technical Specifications

Why Connectorized Backhaul Matters for Lebanese WISPs

The B5C's connectorized design accepts any dual-pol antenna with N-type connectors. This matters in Lebanon for three reasons:

• Distance flexibility: Pair the B5C with a 30 dBi parabolic dish for 40+ km links from Beirut to Mount Lebanon summits, or use a compact 20 dBi dish for shorter 5–10 km inter-tower hops in the Bekaa Valley. The same radio covers both use cases — you only change the antenna.
• Interference mitigation: Lebanon's 5 GHz spectrum is heavily congested in urban areas. A narrow-beam 30 dBi dish concentrates energy and rejects off-axis noise far better than the 8–25 dBi antennas built into integrated units. On congested Beirut rooftops, this can mean the difference between a stable 1 Gbps link and a 200 Mbps link plagued by retransmissions.
• Antenna replacement: Mediterranean salt air and Beirut's coastal humidity corrode connectors and feed systems over time. With the B5C, you replace only the damaged antenna — not the entire radio. This cuts maintenance costs in half for coastal tower sites.

GPS Synchronization: Multiple Links on One Tower

The B5C's built-in GPS receiver enables Mimosa's patented TDMA GPS sync. Up to four B5C radios on the same tower can share the exact same frequency channel without interfering with each other. The GPS receiver coordinates transmit and receive timing slots across all co-located radios, preventing self-interference.

For a Lebanese WISP operating a hilltop tower above Jounieh serving four directions — north toward Jbeil, south toward Beirut, east toward Faraya, and west toward the coast — GPS sync lets all four backhaul links run on a single clean 80 MHz channel instead of requiring four separate channels. In Lebanon's limited 5 GHz spectrum, this quadruples spectral efficiency.

Mimosa B5C vs B5X: Connectorized vs Modular

The Mimosa B5X is the modular alternative to the B5C. Both deliver 1.5 Gbps IP throughput and share the same GPS sync technology, but their antenna systems differ fundamentally.

Choose B5C When:

• Your link distance exceeds 15 km and you need a 28–30 dBi parabolic dish for the link budget
• You already own high-performance third-party antennas (RFElements, KP Performance, Jirous)
• You operate in a congested RF environment where narrow beamwidth dishes (1–3 degree) are necessary to reject adjacent interference
• You want to mount the radio body separately from the antenna for easier tower maintenance

Choose B5X When:

• Your links are under 15 km and a 20–25 dBi Mimosa N5-X twist-on dish provides sufficient gain
• You want tool-free antenna swaps — the N5-X antennas twist on and off without wrenches or cable connectors
• You need the extended 6,200–6,400 MHz frequency range for less congested channels
• Rapid deployment speed matters more than maximum antenna flexibility

Mimosa B5C vs Mimosa B11: 5 GHz vs 11 GHz

The Mimosa B11 operates in the licensed 10–11.7 GHz band, delivering up to 1.5 Gbps over distances up to 100 km with a license. It requires frequency coordination with Lebanese telecom regulators. The B5C operates in unlicensed 5 GHz spectrum — no license required, deploy immediately. For most Lebanese WISPs, the B5C's lower cost and zero licensing overhead make it the practical backbone choice. The B11 serves carriers and large ISPs with licensed spectrum allocations.

Deployment Scenarios in Lebanon

Bekaa Valley WISP Backbone

A WISP serving Zahle, Chtaura, and Baalbek deploys B5C pairs on mountain-edge towers with 30 dBi dishes. The flat terrain provides clear line-of-sight over 20–30 km. GPS sync on the central Zahle tower allows three B5C radios pointing north, south, and east to share one 80 MHz channel. Each link delivers 800–1,200 Mbps real-world throughput depending on modulation and interference conditions.

Beirut Rooftop Mesh

In dense urban Beirut, a B5C with a narrow 2-degree beamwidth 28 dBi dish cuts through the noise floor that plagues wider-beam alternatives. Short 2–5 km rooftop hops between Achrafieh, Hamra, and Verdun buildings carry 1+ Gbps aggregated subscriber traffic back to the central POP.

Coastal Resort Connectivity

Beach resorts along the Jounieh to Byblos coast use B5C links to connect beachfront buildings to hilltop towers where fiber is available. The IP67 enclosure handles Mediterranean humidity, salt spray, and summer temperatures exceeding 35°C without degradation.

Where to Buy Mimosa B5C in Lebanon

HI-GAIN is Lebanon's authorized Mimosa distributor, stocking B5C and B5X units at our Dora, Beirut warehouse. We also carry Mimosa-compatible antennas including the N5-X25 (25 dBi) and N5-X30 (30 dBi) dishes for B5X deployments.

For a complete WISP equipment guide covering backhaul, access points, and CPE selection, read our best WISP equipment in Lebanon article. Browse all Mimosa products available in Lebanon or check real-time stock at HI-GAIN.