Ubiquiti airFiber: Carrier-Class Point-to-Point Backhaul

The Ubiquiti airFiber series revolutionizes the backhaul market for Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs) and enterprises that require extremely high throughput rates (gigabit performance) and low latency over long distances. Unlike conventional WLAN solutions, airFiber uses special frequency bands and proprietary technologies to create dedicated Point-to-Point (PtP) radio links with carrier-grade performance.

Integrated airFiber systems (AF-5, AF-24, AF-24HD) These models are all-in-one solutions where the radio unit and the antenna are integrated into a single, optimized device.


airFiber 5 (AF-5 / AF-5U)

The airFiber 5 operates in the globally license-free 5 GHz frequency band. By using Ubiquitis proprietary xRT (xtreme Range Technology), the AF-5 is designed for long-range connections.

  • Frequency Band: 5 GHz (licenses vary by region).
  • Performance: Provides throughput rates of over 1.2 Gbps.
  • Range: Optimized for extreme ranges of up to 100 km+.
  • Field of Application: Ideal for WISP backbones that need to bridge long distances while utilizing the relatively free 5 GHz band. The AF-5U model (High-Band 5 GHz) features improved filtering for coexistence with other 5 GHz devices.


airFiber 24 (AF-24)

The airFiber 24 is the entry into the license-free 24 GHz band. This band typically offers lower susceptibility to interference than the 5 GHz band because it is used less frequently.

  • Frequency Band: 24 GHz (license-free).
  • Performance: Delivers a throughput of up to 1.5+ Gbps.
  • Range: Suitable for medium distances of up to 13+ km.
  • Field of Application: Excellent for urban areas or short-range backbones where high capacity and low interference are required. Rain attenuation (Rain Fade) must be considered at this frequency, especially on longer routes.

airFiber 24HD (AF-24HD)

The flagship of the 24 GHz line, the airFiber 24HD (Heavy Duty), offers enhanced performance and robustness.

  • Frequency Band: 24 GHz (license-free).
  • Performance: Reaches a full duplex throughput of up to 2.0 Gbps. This is made possible by the use of higher modulation (up to 256QAM) compared to the standard AF-24.
  • Range: Offers an increased range of up to 20+ km.
  • Field of Application: Designed for critical links that require maximum capacity over a medium distance. The HD model features a more robust housing and advanced radio technology to ensure better link stability even under adverse conditions.

airFiber X Dish Antennas (AF-X Dish)

The airFiber X Dish antennas are not complete radio links, but modular parabolic antennas combined with separate airFiber X radios (e.g., AF-5XHD or AF-2X/3X/4X). This modular concept offers maximum flexibility in choosing frequency, antenna gain (dBi), and design.

Key Features of airFiber X Dish Antennas

  • Modular Design: The antenna is connected to the separately available airFiber X radio unit via a dedicated port. This allows for choosing the optimal antenna based on distance and desired frequency.
  • Frequency Bands: Available for various bands, including 2 GHz, 3 GHz, 4 GHz, 5 GHz. This enables the user to switch to less crowded, often licensed or license-free frequency ranges.
  • Slant 45 Polarization: Most airFiber X antennas use 45° slant polarization (Slant 45). This technique drastically improves channel isolation and reduces interference, especially in dense environments with many radio signals.
  • High Antenna Gain: The antennas are available in different sizes and gains (e.g., AF-5G23-S45 (23 dBi), AF-5G30-S45 (30 dBi), or AF-5G34-S45 (34 dBi)), optimizing the system link budget and enabling longer ranges.
  • Field of Application: The AF-X series is the first choice when a licensed or semi-licensed frequency is to be used or when individual optimization of the radio link regarding distance and frequency flexibility is necessary.