Introduction: What the airMAX GigaBeam GBE-LR Offers
The airMAX GigaBeam Long‑Range (GBE‑LR, model ITM002006) is a purpose‑built outdoor 60 GHz point‑to‑point wireless bridge designed to deliver carrier‑class backhaul performance when fibre is impractical or too costly to deploy. Engineered for long‑range, low‑interference links, the GBE‑LR combines a high‑gain 60 GHz dish with an integrated 5 GHz backup radio and a 2.4 GHz management radio. Supplied with a pole mount and a 24 V passive Gigabit PoE injector, it targets ISPs, system integrators and enterprise networks that need reliable multi‑gigabit aggregate throughput with resilient failover options.
Key Features at a Glance
- Primary 60 GHz radiowith up to 2.16 GHz channel width enabling >1 Gbps aggregate throughput and very low interference in crowded sub‑6 GHz bands.
- Integrated 5 GHz backupradio for failover and overlapping coverage in non‑LoS or degraded conditions.
- 2.4 GHz management radiofor easy configuration and alignment without disrupting the main link.
- High antenna gain: 38 dBi for 60 GHz and 11 dBi for 5 GHz, extending practical link distance while keeping margins high.
- Rugged outdoor designwith aluminium and UV‑stabilised polycarbonate enclosure, wide temperature range and strong wind survivability.
- Included PoE: 24 V, 0.5 A passive Gigabit PoE adapter and a single Gigabit Ethernet port for data and power.
Detailed Specifications and Benefits
The GBE‑LR’s headline capability is its 60 GHz radio that supports a full 2.16 GHz channel. That unusually wide channel at V‑band (57–66 GHz, region dependent) enables aggregate throughput exceeding 1 Gbps with extremely low latency, making it suitable for video backhaul, campus connectivity and critical links where throughput matters. The 60 GHz antenna provides 38 dBi of gain, concentrating energy for long‑reach links and strong signal margins.
Because 60 GHz is a high‑frequency band, it benefits from a naturally quieter RF environment compared with congested 2.4/5 GHz bands. The trade‑off is a strict line‑of‑sight requirement and higher sensitivity to weather and atmospheric absorption; this device addresses those concerns by pairing the 60 GHz primary link with an integrated 5 GHz backup radio (11 dBi gain) so traffic can be sustained if the V‑band path degrades.
Network connectivity is via a single Gigabit RJ45 port carrying data and power (passive 24 V PoE). The included PoE adapter simplifies deployment — just one cable to the radio unit. Maximum power consumption is modest at around 11 W, which keeps operational costs low and simplifies backup power planning. The device is managed through UISP (Ubiquiti’s management platform), with alignment and link test tools exposed in the web/mobile UI to speed deployment and troubleshooting.
Its physical footprint (approximately 415 × 415 × 303 mm) and lightweight construction (1.4 kg without mount) make it practical for rooftop or tower installation. The rugged enclosure and operating range (−40 to 60 °C, 5–95% non‑condensing humidity) suit harsh outdoor environments, while wind survivability to 200 km/h addresses high‑wind sites. The GBE‑LR also carries common regulatory approvals (FCC, IC, CE) and is NDAA‑compliant, which is important for government and enterprise procurement.
Under the hood, a quad‑core ARM Cortex‑A7 CPU and 256 MB DDR3 memory power the radio’s packet processing and management tasks. While not a high‑end compute platform, this combination is sufficient for steady line‑rate forwarding, QoS and management operations in a PtP backhaul device.
Use Cases and Ideal Scenarios
The GBE‑LR is designed for scenarios where installation speed, predictable throughput and minimal interference are priorities. Typical use cases include:
- Building‑to‑building backhaul:Connect two nearby buildings without trenching fibre. The high gain and wide 60 GHz channel deliver fibre‑like throughput for business networks, CCTV aggregation or shared internet uplinks.
- Remote site connectivity:Serve remote facilities, temporary events or construction sites where fibre or leased lines aren’t available or cost‑effective.
- ISP and carrier PtP links:Deliver last‑mile aggregation between towers or POPs where microwave or fibre are impractical. Integrated 5 GHz failover improves SLA resilience.
- Campus and municipal networks:Create redundant high‑capacity links between campus buildings, parking structures and utility locations with quick deployment and straightforward management.
In each scenario, the GBE‑LR excels when a clear line‑of‑sight path exists and when the operator values fast deployment, integrated tools and predictable throughput without ongoing spectrum congestion common to lower frequency bands.
How It Compares to Similar Products
60 GHz PtP devices are an established option for short to medium‑range, high‑capacity links. The GBE‑LR competes with offerings from vendors such as Siklu (EtherHaul series) and other millimetre‑wave suppliers, plus more traditional microwave and sub‑6 GHz PtP radios. Key comparison points:
- Capacity and interference:Compared with 5 GHz PtP bridges, 60 GHz devices (including the GBE‑LR) provide a cleaner band with larger contiguous channel widths and less interference. That makes them attractive where high aggregate throughput is required. Siklu systems may offer comparable or higher capacity models but often at a higher procurement cost.
- Cost and ecosystem:Ubiquiti’s GBE‑LR positions itself as a cost‑effective solution with integrated UISP management and an included PoE adapter. Competing millimetre‑wave products from specialised vendors sometimes deliver higher maximum throughput or additional features (e.g., licensed mmWave options) but with a higher price and possibly more complex licensing needs.
- Resilience and backup:The GBE‑LR’s integrated 5 GHz backup radio is a practical advantage over some pure 60 GHz radios that require a separate device for redundancy. This integration simplifies failover design and reduces total installed cost.
- Ease of deployment:Ubiquiti focuses on installer experience: compact hardware, included mounts and PoE, and alignment tools in a familiar management interface. Enterprise or operator‑grade gear may provide richer SLA and management features but often at the expense of increased complexity and cost.
- When fibre is available:Fibre still wins on long‑term capacity, latency and future scalability, but the GBE‑LR provides a faster, lower‑capex alternative for many deployments and can act as a temporary or even permanent replacement where fibre is infeasible.
Customer Feedback and Typical Reviews
Publicly available user feedback and field reports for products in this class typically highlight a consistent set of praises and caveats. Common positive notes you can expect from real‑world users of the GBE‑LR include:
- "Excellent throughput for the price": Installers often note that the V‑band channel and high antenna gain provide fibre‑like link speeds for a fraction of trenching costs.
- "Integrated backup is a practical plus": Customers appreciate the built‑in 5 GHz backup radio that keeps links alive without purchasing a second radio.
- "Easy alignment and management": UISP’s alignment tools and the management radio simplify commissioning and diagnostics compared with some legacy PtP systems.
Caveats reported by installers and operators commonly include:
- "Strict line‑of‑sight required": 60 GHz requires precise alignment and an unobstructed path; even foliage or seasonal changes can affect margins.
- "Weather sensitivity": Heavy rain or atmospheric effects can degrade the 60 GHz path, which is why the 5 GHz backup is important for mission‑critical links.
- "Limited warranty details": Purchasers should confirm warranty support and service options; the GBE‑LR listing here shows warranty information as none included, so consider support contracts if needed.
Conclusion: Why Choose the GBE‑LR?
The airMAX GigaBeam GBE‑LR is a thoughtfully balanced long‑range 60 GHz PtP bridge that delivers high aggregate throughput, low interference operation and built‑in resilience thanks to its integrated 5 GHz failover radio and 2.4 GHz management channel. Its combination of a wide 2.16 GHz channel, high antenna gain (38 dBi at 60 GHz), rugged design and included PoE adapter make it a practical choice for ISPs, enterprises and integrators who need rapid, cost‑effective backhaul without the time and cost of fibre deployment.
While not a replacement for fibre in every situation, the GBE‑LR offers an efficient middle ground: near‑fibre performance for many real‑world applications, simpler installation than larger microwave systems, and the peace of mind of an integrated backup path. If you need a compact, high‑capacity PtP link that’s engineered for deployment speed and real‑world resilience, the GBE‑LR is a compelling option. Suggested retail pricing is around $319.00, and it ships with the essentials to get a link online quickly — though buyers should verify warranty and support options to match their operational needs.
