Internet in Haifa

The city of Haifa draws over a million visitors a year. This doesn’t come as a surprise since the gorgeous city is located on the Mediterranean coast and is known for its historical sites, beautiful beaches, gardens, and galleries. 

Haifa has a population of over 250,000 residents and growing and they practically all use the internet. If you want to make this city your home, you’ll need to do some research to ensure your adjustment period is a breeze. One of the things you’ll probably be interested in is internet options in Haifa. Luckily for you we've done the research in the internet department and here's everything you'll need to know.

How Do I Get Internet in Haifa?

As the third-largest city in Israel, Haifa offers various internet options. However, getting an internet connection involves a bit of an unusual process, especially for foreigners. In Israel, you can’t get internet by walking into an internet service provider and having them install the equipment. Instead, you need two separate services. 🤦

The first is infrastructure without which your internet connection can’t function, and this service is called “Tashtit.”

The second one is the actual internet package called “Sapak.”

Fortunately most telecom providers in Haifa will set you up with both the Tashtit and the Sapak. Since Haifa is a big and modern city, you have several internet service providers at your disposal. Rest assured, every provider you talk to will advertise their internet packages as “the best” or “the fastest.” However, seemingly small but significant differences between providers can be deal-breakers for some people. 

What to actually check

Here’s what you should actually focus on when choosing a provider:

Which Internet Providers Are Available in Haifa?

Israel has a rich internet service provider market. Both natives and foreigners can choose between dozens of options. If you’re new to Haifa, you may even feel a little overwhelmed by the variety of providers. It can seem like new ones pop up every few weeks. 

While some people agree that new is always better, in this case, it’s best to stick with well-known providers that have been on the market for a long time. They have thousands of regular clients, great reviews, and tempting offers. Here are the available internet providers in Haifa you should look into: 

Which Internet Providers Are Available in My Area in Haifa?

Not all internet providers cover all Haifa neighborhoods, which isn’t unusual. If you live in an area far away from the city’s center, you may have fewer options. Still, the available providers are more than enough. 

If you have your eyes on a particular provider, the best thing you can do is contact them or go to their store and ask whether they cover your area. You can also hop on to their website and check the available information. 

What if you’re trying to get information when you haven’t completed the relocation to Haifa? You probably don’t want to call a provider since that could potentially cost a fortune. Checking the website may seem like a viable option, but there’s a catch: most providers have Hebrew-only websites. If you’re a foreigner, you won’t be able to understand a thing.

Fortunately, providers like TCS Israel are aware that many foreigners call Haifa their home. The provider’s website is in English. If you ever need help or want to speak to a customer support employee, you’ll be happy to know that TCS Israel offers services in English.

How Do Internet Service Providers Line up in Terms of Services and Speed? 

As you’ve seen, Haifa doesn’t lack internet providers. The question is whether all providers are worth your time and money.

Bezeq is one of the largest providers in Haifa and throughout Israel. It offers various services, including fixed-line, internet, pay TV, transmission, etc. When it comes to its internet services, Bezeq offers options with DSL and fiber. Haifa is a large city with dozens of neighborhoods, but Bezeq covers them all. 

People that already use this provider like the high speed, various packages, and reliability. Bezeq’s popularity can be both an advantage and a drawback. Since many people use the internet through Bezeq, slower speeds during peak hours are a common occurrence.

Like Bezeq, HOTnet offers DSL and fiber-optic internet. You can choose different package options depending on your needs. Many people like that HOTnet has no-contract options, perfect for those who don’t want to commit just yet. The provider also has solid coverage and stable connections. The potential problem with HOTnet is slower customer service. 

Cellcom features many internet plans, and its services are available in most neighborhoods in Haifa. The plans are usually affordable, and people usually have no complaints regarding stability. The potential issue here is the internet speed. Compared to other providers, Cellcom isn’t exactly the fastest internet in Haifa. 

If you’re using the internet to browse social media or reply to emails, you probably won’t notice the issue. But, if you need high-speed internet for your job, streaming content, or playing games, Cellcom may not be the best option.

012 Smile offers excellent internet plans and often has fantastic discounts and special offers. The company is reliable and has been in business for a while. Unfortunately, 012 Smile doesn’t offer customer support in English, which can be a deal-breaker for foreigners.

Many Haifa residents agree that TCS Israel is one of the best providers. It offers the fastest internet in Haifa (fiber optic), has various packages and plans, and provides coverage across Haifa. Plus, the helpful customer support team can assist English-speaking residents, so language barriers aren’t a problem.

Internet Rimon is another available provider in Haifa. Like other providers, it offers various packages at competitive prices. With Internet Rimon, the potential problem is coverage. The provider doesn’t provide its services to all areas of Haifa.

What Are People Saying About the Service?

Most providers in Haifa are reliable and offer great packages and stability. The biggest problem Anglos have regarding the internet in Haifa isn’t finding a provider but communicating with one. Unfortunately, most internet service providers in Haifa don’t speak English or have customer support in English. This creates a barrier for foreigners who have just arrived in Haifa and want to get a fresh start.

If you’re looking for an internet service provider that offers its services in English, TCS Israel is the way to go. 

Does Haifa Have Free Wi-Fi? Around the Universities?

Haifa is a tech hub. As such, it offers free Wi-Fi in many areas. According to Wi-Fi Map, Haifa is home to over 600 hotspots throughout the city. 

Haifa University WIFI

You can connect to wireless internet at various locations around the university campus, including:

Here's a map of Haifa University so you can find the most convenient WIFI hotspot.

Is There Free Wi-Fi in the Technion?

The Technion (Israel Institute of Technology) is the oldest university in the country. Being a technology institute and being the most established university in Israel, one might expect this prestigious institution to offer superfast WIFI along with its excellent programs and amenities. It does in fact offer free WIFI on most of the campus. You'll need an access code to use it and if you're a student you'll get a code during orientation week.

Visitors can also enjoy free Wi-Fi at some locations on the Technion campus, but the connection isn’t the best quality.

Do the Beaches in Haifa Have Free Wi-Fi?

Pristine beaches are one of the reasons many people are attracted to Haifa. All beaches are well-maintained and clean, with white sand and crystal-clear water. If you want to lie in the sun at one of Haifa’s beaches and browse the internet while there, you’ll be happy to know you can use free Wi-Fi.

Most beaches in Haifa have free Wi-Fi coverage. However, you may be unable to connect to a network during peak hours, especially at the most popular beaches, as they can get crowded. On the other hand, if you choose a less popular beach, you may find out it doesn’t have Wi-Fi coverage. 

Why Should You Consider TCS Israel for Your Home Internet Services if You’re an Anglo?

TCS Israel ticks all the boxes: it offers a fast and stable connection, it’s affordable, and its customer support and website are in English.

Choose the Best Provider and Stay Connected

Moving is never easy, and the adjustment period can take a while. Staying in the loop and communicating with your loved ones is crucial for your adjustment. That’s why you should find a reliable internet service provider like TCS Israel, which offers robust services at great prices.