ISP & WISP Equipment in Lebanon

How to Build an ISP or WISP in Lebanon: The Complete Equipment Guide

Building an Internet Service Provider (ISP) or Wireless ISP (WISP) in Lebanon requires careful planning across multiple equipment layers. From the core router that manages your subscriber sessions to the CPE radio on your customer's rooftop, every component must work together reliably. HI-GAIN has been equipping Lebanon's ISP industry since 1990, and we stock everything you need to launch or expand your service provider operation from our Beirut warehouse. This guide walks through each layer of the ISP stack and recommends the best equipment for Lebanon's unique market conditions.

Layer 1: Core Routing with MikroTik

The core router is the brain of your ISP. It handles subscriber authentication (PPPoE), bandwidth management, BGP peering with upstream providers, and traffic routing across your entire network. For ISPs in Lebanon, MikroTik Cloud Core Routers are the dominant choice due to their exceptional price-to-performance ratio and the powerful RouterOS operating system. The MikroTik CCR2116-12G-4S+ features a 16-core ARM processor, 16 GB of RAM, 12 Gigabit Ethernet ports, and 4 SFP+ 10G ports — enough capacity to manage thousands of PPPoE subscribers with bandwidth queues, firewall rules, and OSPF routing. For larger operations, the CCR2216-1G-12XS-2XQ provides 100G QSFP28 ports for high-capacity uplinks. Smaller ISPs just getting started can deploy the MikroTik RB5009 or hEX S (RB760iGS) as a cost-effective entry point.

Layer 2: Wireless Access with Cambium ePMP and Ubiquiti airMAX

The access layer is where your network meets your subscribers. For WISPs in Lebanon, this means sector antennas mounted on towers or rooftops that serve the surrounding area. The Cambium ePMP 3000 is the gold standard for congested RF environments — its smart beamforming antenna array dynamically focuses signals toward each subscriber, delivering consistent performance even when dozens of competing networks share the same spectrum. Each ePMP 3000 sector can support over 120 subscribers with aggregate throughput exceeding 600 Mbps. On the Ubiquiti side, the airMAX Rocket 5AC Prism paired with sector antennas provides a more budget-friendly access layer option with airPrism filtering technology. The Ubiquiti LTU Rocket brings proprietary LTU protocol for higher spectral efficiency in airMAX deployments.

Layer 3: Backhaul with Mimosa Networks and Cambium PTP

Backhaul links connect your tower sites to each other and ultimately to your internet uplink. The capacity of your backhaul determines the maximum throughput available to all subscribers on that tower. Mimosa Networks excels here with GPS-synchronized radios that allow collocated links to operate without self-interference. The Mimosa Networks B5c at 5 GHz delivers up to 1 Gbps over distances exceeding 50 km with appropriate antennas, while the Mimosa Networks B24 provides 1.5 Gbps throughput at 24 GHz for shorter urban backbone links. Cambium PTP 550 and PTP 670 offer carrier-grade alternatives with superior NLOS performance — critical for Lebanon's mountainous terrain where line-of-sight between towers is not always achievable. For shorter-distance aggregation links between nearby towers, the Ubiquiti airFiber 60 delivers 1.8 Gbps at the 60 GHz band.

Layer 4: Subscriber CPE (Customer Premises Equipment)

CPE radios are installed at each subscriber's location to connect them to your nearest tower. Cost per subscriber unit is critical, as you may deploy hundreds or thousands of these devices. The Ubiquiti LiteBeam 5AC Gen2 at just $49 per unit is the most popular CPE choice for budget-conscious WISPs in Lebanon — it delivers solid throughput with a 23 dBi directional antenna and keeps your per-subscriber equipment cost minimal. For higher performance, the Cambium Force 300 CSM provides 2x2 MU-MIMO with up to 300 Mbps throughput per subscriber and integrates natively with ePMP 3000 access points for optimized scheduling. The Cambium Force 300-25 with its integrated 25 dBi dish antenna handles longer distances for rural subscribers outside Beirut and Tripoli.

Layer 5: PoE Infrastructure and Tower Equipment

Every device on your tower needs reliable power delivery. PoE switches like the MikroTik CRS328-24P-4S+RM provide up to 500W of PoE budget to power your sector antennas, backhaul radios, and surveillance cameras from a central point. For outdoor installations, surge protectors and weatherproof enclosures are essential to protect equipment from Lebanon's electrical storms and voltage fluctuations. HI-GAIN stocks Ubiquiti Ethernet surge protectors and outdoor-rated PoE injectors for complete tower protection. UPS battery backup ensures your equipment stays online during Lebanon's frequent power interruptions.

Regulatory Considerations for ISPs in Lebanon

Operating a WISP in Lebanon requires understanding local spectrum regulations. Equipment operating in the 5 GHz unlicensed band (including Cambium ePMP, Ubiquiti airMAX, and Mimosa Networks radios) can be deployed without frequency licensing for point-to-multipoint and point-to-point use. However, licensed microwave bands require coordination with the telecommunications regulatory authority. ISPs connecting to international bandwidth must establish peering arrangements with upstream providers. HI-GAIN can connect you with experienced network consultants who understand the Lebanese regulatory landscape and can help you navigate the licensing process.

Why HI-GAIN Is Lebanon's ISP Equipment Partner

HI-GAIN has equipped hundreds of ISP and WISP deployments across Lebanon and the region since 1990. Our Beirut warehouse stocks the complete ISP stack from all four major brands, so you can source your entire deployment from a single supplier. We offer volume pricing for ISP operators, technical consultation for network design, and fast turnaround on special orders. Whether you are launching a new WISP serving a village in the Bekaa Valley or upgrading a city-wide ISP network in Tripoli, HI-GAIN has the equipment and expertise to support your project.

Explore Our Brand-Specific Catalogs

For detailed product listings by brand, visit our dedicated pages: MikroTik Lebanon for Cloud Core Routers, CRS switches, and hEX series; Cambium Networks Lebanon for ePMP, PTP, and cnPilot products; Ubiquiti (UBNT) Lebanon for airMAX, UniFi, and UISP equipment; and Mimosa Networks Lebanon for B-Series backhaul and A5c access points. Check our product availability page for live stock and pricing.