Looking for help with someone's WiFi project.

[domic]

Someone I know wishes to connect two wifi routers that are approximately 120 meters apart (straight line on map).
They wish to save money on monthly fees by having one mobile internet subscription instead of using two. The signal would be traveling two buildings.
What options exist today for this kind of project?

 

[OzarkEdge]

Someone I know wishes to connect two wifi routers that are approximately 120 meters apart (straight line on map).
They wish to save money on monthly fees by having one mobile internet subscription instead of using two. The signal would be traveling two buildings.
What options exist today for this kind of project?

I suspect you would want to research point-to-point wireless bridge equipment... but this approach may exceed the project's fiscal and technical budgets.

OE

 

[bbunge]

https://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Wireless-Ethernet-500M-1KM-Distance/dp/B0B4CL11JL?tag=snbforums-20

 

[domic]

https://www.amazon.com/Outdoor-Wireless-Ethernet-500M-1KM-Distance/dp/B0B4CL11JL?tag=snbforums-20

I feel speechless (in a position way).
Can omnidirectional WiFi even go that far? this product sounds amazing on paper.
I also apologize, I forgot to mention that the network uses WiFi cameras and needs at least that kind of bandwidth on top.

 

[Tech9]

Can omnidirectional WiFi even go that far?

No. What you see above is high-gain antenna narrow beam P2P bridges. Here is one for up to 30km links:

LHG XL 5 ax | MikroTik

Long-range outdoor CPEs with modern Wi-Fi 6 performance, rugged design, and unbeatable pricing. Available in two models (24.5 or 27 dBi), they’re ideal for point-to-point links over great distances. This is the XL 27 dBi version.

mikrotik.com

 

[ColinTaylor]

Can omnidirectional WiFi even go that far? this product sounds amazing on paper.

Very unlikely. But that product claims to be a 60° directional 12dBi antenna.

Personally I wouldn't trust a no-name Chinese product to live up to its advertised performance. However, you can get similar products from reputable brands.

 

[Tech9]

What options exist today for this kind of project?

If about Gigabit speed is good enough:

Building-to-Building Bridge - Ubiquiti Store

A 60 GHz wireless point-to-point bridge.

store.ui.com

High performance version with up to 6Gbps:

Building-to-Building Bridge XG - Ubiquiti Store

A 60 GHz wireless point-to-point bridge with 10G SFP+ uplink for maximum performance.

store.ui.com

Example kits for such building bridge devices. Ubiquiti product is expensive.

This one is way cheaper, if you have MikroTik supplier around you.

SXTsq 5 ax | MikroTik

A compact outdoor Wi-Fi 6 CPE with a powerful 16 dBi antenna, AP mode, and multiple mounting options — perfect for masts, poles, or rooftop deployments.

mikrotik.com

Another good price almost Gigabit option from TP-Link, comes as a kit:

Wireless Bridge 5 GHz 867 Mbps Indoor/Outdoor Access Point

The Omada wireless bridge, EAP211-Bridge KIT, delivers up to 867 Mbps wireless data rates and gives a long-range transmission up to 1 km. Auto-pairing and centralized management enpower your efficient deployment and management.

www.omadanetworks.com

 

[Tech9]

The signal would be traveling two buildings.

Line of sight required for all of the above products.

 

[degrub]

And heavy rain can interfere. So if that is an issue, either aerial or direct burial fiber optic is the next best choice.

 

[domic]

I have been given good information. I will do the research and come back if I have a tangible solution for the friend.

 

[Tech9]

If LoS is possible the TP-Link product above is good enough and comes with everything needed as a kit. The distance of 120m is only 12% of maximum specifications distance, the link will most likely hold maximum speed even in not so perfect weather conditions.

 

[tgl]

What sort of throughput do you need? My first thought is that sharing a mobile-internet link is not a high-performance task. If you don't need more than a couple hundred Mbps throughput, the Ubiquiti products mentioned above are overkill (not to mention ridiculously expensive). However, there are a lot of good options still for sale in their older "UISP" line. I'd suggest looking at the airMAX NanoBeam 5AC which will run you $99 each (you'll need two). These units are made for multi-kilometer links, 120m is nothing ... again, as long as you have clear line of sight.

I have no experience with the mentioned TP-Link gear, but I've used NanoBeams successfully for point-to-point links. One thing to know is that because of their high-gain antennas, pointing them accurately is critical if you want to get the rated throughput; and that in turn means you need a solid mounting that will not move.

 

[Tech9]

airMAX NanoBeam 5AC

Ha! I was thinking they are discontinued...

 

[tgl]

Ha! I was thinking they are discontinued...

I think the handwriting is on the wall for the UISP line, but they still have plenty of models for sale. I would not buy a UISP router today, because that's gear you want up-to-date software for. But point-to-point radios are pretty much set it up and forget it; barring a lightning strike or such, they'll remain useful for years after UI stops selling them.