Do I need a license to run point-to-point radios?

airFiber, MikroTik, and Cambium's unlicensed models run in license-free bands (5/24/60 GHz) in the US. Licensed options require coordination but give you protected, interference-free spectrum.

Which point-to-point radio is best for a WISP tower backhaul?

For most WISPs, Ubiquiti airFiber is the best balance of throughput, reliability, and cost, and it integrates with UISP. Step up to Cambium or Siklu when the RF environment or capacity demands justify the extra spend.

Point-to-point wireless backhaul comparison

October 9, 2026 Javelin Networks

Point-to-Point Wireless Backhaul: airFiber vs MikroTik vs Cambium vs Siklu

Q: What throughput can a point-to-point link actually deliver?

It depends on the band and distance. Short 60 GHz links reach multi-gigabit speeds; long 5 GHz links typically deliver a few hundred Mbps to about 1 Gbps. Rate a link by its real-world aggregate throughput at your distance, not the marketing peak.

Q: Can I mix brands on the two ends of a link?

No — a point-to-point link must use a matched pair from the same family on both ends. You can run different brands on different links across your network.

Q: How important is line of sight for point-to-point wireless?

Critical, especially at higher frequencies. 60 GHz needs clear line of sight; 5 GHz tolerates some obstruction; Cambium's PTP line is engineered for near- and non-line-of-sight links. Always survey the path first.

A point-to-point (PtP) link is the wireless pipe that carries a whole site's traffic — tower to tower, building to building, or back to a fiber hand-off. Get it right and it is as reliable as a buried cable for a fraction of the cost and time. Get it wrong and the whole network downstream suffers. This guide compares the four brands buyers weigh most often and shows how to match a radio to the job.

Everything in stock lives in our Point-to-Point Wireless collection, with fast US shipping from Javelin Networks.

The quick verdict

Ubiquiti airFiber

Best for: Most WISP and enterprise backhauls — the best value per Mbps

Bands 5 / 24 / 60 GHzThroughput Up to 6 GbpsLicensing UnlicensedMgmt UISP

MikroTik

Best for: Budget links and short 60 GHz hops where you already run RouterOS

Bands 5 / 60 GHzThroughput Up to ~1 Gbps+Licensing UnlicensedMgmt WinBox / RouterOS

Cambium PTP

Best for: Noisy RF environments and non-line-of-sight links needing resilience

Bands 5 GHz + licensedThroughput Up to ~1 GbpsLicensing Un + licensedMgmt cnMaestro

Siklu mmWave

Best for: Dense urban multi-gig hops that need interference-free E-band

Bands 60 / 70-80 GHzThroughput 1–10 GbpsLicensing Light / licensedMgmt Siklu EMS

Ubiquiti airFiber — the value leader

airFiber is where most of our customers land, and for good reason: it delivers carrier-grade throughput at a price nothing else matches, and it is managed from the same UISP platform WISPs already use for the rest of their Ubiquiti gear. The lineup covers every distance:

airFiber 60 XG — up to 6 Gbps over 60 GHz for short, high-capacity hops (campus, rooftop-to-rooftop).
airFiber 60 XR — pushes 60 GHz capacity out to 15 km+ with an SFP+ hand-off.
airFiber 5XHD — 1 Gbps over licensed-free 5 GHz for long, reliable backhauls.
airFiber 24HD — 2 Gbps over the quieter 24 GHz band for medium-range links.

Browse the whole range under Ubiquiti.

MikroTik — the budget and 60 GHz option

MikroTik is the choice when you want a capable link for the least money, or a short 60 GHz hop that drops straight into a RouterOS network. The Cube 60Pro ac pre-configured kit is a plug-and-play 60 GHz pair for links up to a few hundred meters, and the LHG XL 5 ax is a high-gain 5 GHz dish for longer reach. Everything is configured in WinBox. For point-to-multipoint off a tower, the mANTBox ax 15s sector pairs with LHG CPEs. See the full MikroTik range.

Cambium PTP — resilience in noisy RF

Cambium's PTP line is built for links that have to work in congested spectrum or without a clean line of sight. The PTP 650 family offers dynamic spectrum management and strong non-line-of-sight performance, and the platform is managed through cnMaestro. It costs more than airFiber or MikroTik, so reach for it when reliability in a hard RF environment is worth the premium.

Siklu — interference-free mmWave

Siklu's EtherHaul radios use 60 GHz and licensed 70/80 GHz (E-band) to deliver multi-gigabit links in dense cities, where the ultra-narrow beams are effectively immune to interference. It is a specialist, higher-cost option; we don't stock the EtherHaul radios on the shelf, but we can source Siklu for E-band projects on request — get in touch if that is what your link needs.

How to choose

Start with distance and line of sight. 60 GHz gives the most capacity but the shortest range and needs clear line of sight; 5 GHz travels farthest; 24 GHz and licensed bands sit in between. Then size the throughput to the traffic the link must carry, with headroom for growth. Finally, weigh the RF environment: in quiet rural spectrum, unlicensed airFiber or MikroTik is ideal; in a congested city, Cambium's resilience or Siklu's licensed E-band earns its cost.

Short, high-capacity hop (<1 km): airFiber 60 XG or MikroTik Cube 60Pro.
Long rural backhaul: airFiber 5XHD or a MikroTik LHG 5 pair.
Medium link in busy spectrum: airFiber 24HD or Cambium PTP 650.
Dense urban multi-gig: Siklu E-band (sourced on request).

Frequently asked questions

What throughput can a point-to-point link actually deliver?

It depends on the band and distance. Short 60 GHz links (airFiber 60 XG) reach multi-gigabit speeds; long 5 GHz links typically deliver a few hundred Mbps to ~1 Gbps. Always rate a link by its real-world aggregate throughput at your distance, not the marketing peak.

Do I need a license to run these?

airFiber, MikroTik, and Cambium's unlicensed models run in license-free bands (5/24/60 GHz) in the US. Licensed options (parts of 11/70/80 GHz, Cambium licensed, Siklu E-band) require coordination but give you protected, interference-free spectrum.

Can I mix brands on the two ends of a link?

No — a point-to-point link must use a matched pair from the same family on both ends. You can, of course, run different brands on different links across your network.

How important is line of sight?

Critical, especially at higher frequencies. 60 GHz needs clear line of sight; 5 GHz tolerates some obstruction; Cambium's PTP line is specifically engineered for near- and non-line-of-sight links. Always survey the path first.

Which is best for a WISP tower backhaul?

For most WISPs, airFiber is the best balance of throughput, reliability, and cost, and it integrates with the UISP platform. Step up to Cambium or Siklu when the RF environment or capacity demands justify the extra spend.