LebGeeks

edrons

Member

Temporary Home Internet in Lebanon

I’d like to have the opinion of the Forum regarding a temporary internet plan in Lebanon:
I’m actually living abroad, but going soon to Lebanon for around 10 days with my family to our new apartment in Baabdat.
We’re planning to visit it a couple of weeks yearly as well.
So basically I’m looking for internet without long term commitment, and no need for a phone line number.
What do you recommend (and what is available in Lebanon) ?
An Ogero fiber optic ? A 4G connection from Alfa or Touch ? Other ?

Doom

Member

Re: Temporary Home Internet in Lebanon

https://www.alfa.com.lb/en/mobile-broadband/alfanet

The router's a bit expensive (125$) but it's a one time fee.

TheIlluminative

Member

Re: Temporary Home Internet in Lebanon

Get Wise Box, find it on OLX for $40 or so. And get a rechargeable card. The max speed is 2mb though but it might be good. 12-7AM is free.

ahk40a

Member

Re: Temporary Home Internet in Lebanon

This could be convenient:
http://www.touch.com.lb/autoforms/porta … e/overview

rolf

Member

Re: Temporary Home Internet in Lebanon

I recommend some sort of 4G, you don't need to buy anything, just put your phone on tethering.

Regarding Alfa vs Touch, check the reception and services in your area. I would try to ask people who live there about their experience with either.

If you are some sort of download-addict, you will have to change your habits temporarily. 4G data volume is not exactly cheap here.

I think it is a good choice, because 4G is relatively reliable and fast normally. Coming from abroad (most of the world anyway), this will minimize your "internet shock".

I can't comment on Wise because I have little experience with it (however there is a whole thread about them). If it is reliable then it might be a good option as well.

They also have another option called "WiseMax" which is faster.
Apparently you can buy refills online

Last edited by rolf (October 9 2019)

edrons

Member

Re: Temporary Home Internet in Lebanon

Thank you all for your guidance. I guess I’ll settle with a 4G on my mobile and use it as a hotspot.
It’s unfortunate they don’t sell Data-only Sim cards at the airport, so guess I’ll go for “Visitor Line” from touch hoping it’ll be available at the airport according to their website

ahk40a

Member

Re: Temporary Home Internet in Lebanon

Thank you all for your guidance. I guess I’ll settle with a 4G on my mobile and use it as a hotspot.
It’s unfortunate they don’t sell Data-only Sim cards at the airport, so guess I’ll go for “Visitor Line” from touch hoping it’ll be available at the airport according to their website

It is a pleasure, and we hope you have a nice stay in as the weather should be nice these days.

If you want to have a data sim only, you can get one as the below:
https://www.idm.net.lb/4G.html

Try contacting them via email, informing them that you will not be purchasing their 4G modem and that you only need a data sim card.

anayman_k7

Member

Re: Temporary Home Internet in Lebanon

Alfa mobile operator (which is one the 2 operators we have in Lebanon: Touch and Alfa) offers a service that is called U-Share, basically any mobile data subscriber (with 10GB plan or more) can share the quota with 3 more Alfa users (they need sim cards also), in case family members want to have their mobile phones with data, sharing a larger quota plan is cheaper than subscribing on each device, it is an option for you if you have a similar scenario, have a nice stay.

https://www.alfa.com.lb/en/postpaid/services/u-share

samer

Admin

Re: Temporary Home Internet in Lebanon

https://www.alfa.com.lb/en/mobile-broadband/alfanet

The router's a bit expensive (125$) but it's a one time fee.

Or just go with the prepaid mobile broadband plan and use your own phone as a router (via tethering):
https://www.alfa.com.lb/en/mobile-broadband/about

It's more expensive than AlfaNet per gigabyte, but you don't need to buy the 125$ router.

You only need to top it up once a year for the SIM to stay active, at least that's what I have been told by an Alfa employee.