In today’s bandwidth-driven world, wireless backhaul systems are critical for Internet service providers (ISPs), WISPs, and large-scale commercial networks. As data consumption increases and connection needs reach previously unheard-of levels, a strong and scalable backbone is essential. Whether you’re feeding tower sites, connecting distant network nodes, or offering fixed wireless access, high-availability backhaul is more crucial than ever.

Choosing radios is only one aspect of an effective backhaul network design; other factors include engineering, planning, route calculations, interference analysis, licensing concerns, and hardware selection. You may create point-to-point wireless links that provide fiber-like performance even over great distances with the correct technology, careful installation, and appropriate network design.

This blog explores every important aspect of creating long-range wireless connectivity, comparing industry-leading manufacturers such as Ubiquiti airFiber, Cambium PTP solutions, and Mimosa backhaul radios. We’ll also explore licensed vs unlicensed backhaul, modern microwave backhaul systems, and expert design strategies to help ISPs achieve carrier-grade reliability.

Table of Contents

Why Wireless Backhaul is Essential for Modern ISP Networks

With the cost of fiber deployment rising, and rural areas often inaccessible for trenching, ISPs increasingly rely on wireless backhaul as a cost-effective and scalable alternative. Wireless enables rapid deployment and allows service providers to expand their network footprint without excessive overhead.

Key advantages include:

1. Rapid Deployment

Unlike fibre, which may take months to build, point-to-point wireless connectivity can be done in a matter of hours or days.

2. Lower CapEx and OpEx

Trenching, leasing, and permitting expenses are eliminated by wireless.

3. Flexibility and Scalability

Wireless connection can be changed, relocated, or redistributed as the network grows.

4. Carrier-Grade Capacity

Modern radios deliver multi-gigabit throughput with advanced modulation and FEC.

5. High Reliability When Engineered Properly

With proper planning, wireless can achieve 99.999% uptime—matching regulated fiber circuits.

For ISPs needing flexible, strong, and scalable connectivity, best wireless backhaul solutions for ISPs often start with proven PtP radio systems.

Core Technologies Behind High-Availability Backhaul Systems

Designing carrier-grade wireless backhaul requires an understanding of the technologies behind them.

1. Point-to-Point Wireless Links (PtP)

Point-to-point wireless links form the backbone of most ISP transport networks. These links connect:

Tower to tower
Tower to POP
POP to data center
Remote villages to core network
Buildings to buildings

High-quality PtP links deliver ultra-low latency, long-distance coverage, and dependable performance.

2. Microwave Backhaul Systems

Microwave backhaul systems operate in higher frequency bands such as:

6 GHz
11 GHz
13 GHz
18 GHz
23 GHz
60 GHz
80 GHz

Microwave links offer:

Licensed-spectrum reliability
High availability in difficult RF environments
Superior fade-margin performance
Multi-gigabit throughput

For ISPs seeking absolute stability and guaranteed uptime, microwave technology becomes the first choice.

3. Long-Range Wireless Connectivity

Achieving stable long-range wireless connectivity often requires:

Proper antenna gain
Clear line of sight (LoS)
Long-distance link budgets
Low-noise frequency environments
Weather-resilient modulation

Engineered correctly, wireless links can exceed 100 km or more using licensed microwave equipment.

Licensed vs Unlicensed Backhaul: Choosing the Right Path

Understanding licensed vs unlicensed backhaul is essential for designing reliable networks.

Licensed Backhaul

Licensed links require frequency coordination and regulatory approval but offer:

Protected frequencies
Minimal interference
High availability
Guaranteed performance
Support for carrier-grade SLAs

Best for mission-critical transport, core towers, and long-haul backhaul.

Unlicensed Backhaul

Unlicensed links operate in open bands like 5 GHz, 24 GHz, and 60 GHz. These links are:

Affordable
Easy to deploy
Low barrier to entry
Ideal for WISPs and smaller POPs

However, they are prone to:

Interference
DFS radar changes
Congestion in populated areas

Many ISPs use hybrid models—licensed for core links and unlicensed for access or secondary paths.

Top Backhaul Radio Manufacturers: Comparing Industry Leaders

Professional ISPs rely on a handful of proven manufacturers known for performance, durability, and innovation.

1. Ubiquiti airFiber

Ubiquiti airFiber changed the industry with ultra-fast, cost-effective, and easy-to-deploy backhaul systems.

Key advantages:

Multi-gigabit throughput
Low-latency performance
Long-range capability
Affordable pricing
Easy configuration and alignment

Popular models like the airFiber AF-5XHD, AF-24, AF-11FX, and airFiber 60 are widely used.

2. Cambium PTP Solutions

Cambium PTP solutions represent carrier-grade reliability and are commonly chosen for mission-critical ISP infrastructure.

Benefits include:

Industry-leading resilience
Massive fade margin
Ultra-long-distance connectivity
Licensed & unlicensed options
High-link availability in extreme conditions

Cambium’s PTP 650, PTP 670, and PTP 820 microwave series are trusted globally.

3. Mimosa Backhaul Radios

Mimosa backhaul radios offer cost-effective, high-performance backhaul for both short and long-range links.

Advantages:

High spectral efficiency
GPS sync for co-location
Multi-gigabit potential
Low-cost hardware
Strong interference mitigation

The Mimosa B5c and B11 radios are popular in WISP deployments worldwide.

Best Wireless Backhaul Solutions for ISPs (2025 Recommendations)

Here are the top best wireless backhaul solutions for ISPs, based on performance, price value, and reliability:

For Budget-Friendly High-Performance: Ubiquiti airFiber 5XHD

Powerful for congested 5 GHz bands
Flexible waveguide antennas
GPS synchronization for tower clustering

For Carrier-Grade Links: Cambium PTP 820 Series

Licensed microwave
Ultra-stable, predictable performance
Excellent fade margin

For Medium-Range ISP Networks: Mimosa B5c

Good for 5–50 km links
Affordable and simple to deploy
Excellent throughput per MHz

For Short-Range Multi-Gig Links: 60 GHz Systems

Virtually no interference
Fiber-like speeds
Ideal for urban rooftops and building-to-building

Designing Carrier-Grade Wireless Backhaul: Best Practices

To achieve true carrier-grade performance, follow these best practices for designing carrier-grade wireless backhaul networks.

1. Conduct Comprehensive Line-of-Sight (LoS) Surveys

Use tools like:

Google Earth
RF path calculators
Tower elevation data
Fresnel zone clearance models

Ensuring a clear path is critical.

2. Calculate Link Budget Carefully

Include:

Antenna gain
Tx power
Receiver sensitivity
Cable losses
Fade margin

A strong fade margin improves uptime significantly.

3. Use High-Gain Dishes for Long-Range Wireless Connectivity

Higher gain reduces noise and increases link stability.

4. Integrate Redundancy in Backhaul Network Design

Use:

Ring topologies
Dual-radio systems
Licensed/unlicensed wireless failover
Redundant fiber

Redundancy ensures improving link reliability for PtP networks across all nodes.

5. Choose the Right Modulation and Channel Width

Adaptive modulation helps maintain uptime during weather or interference.

6. Secure the Link

Implement security measures such as:

AES encryption
VLAN segmentation
Secure management interfaces
Strong passwords/MFA

7. Monitor Your Links Continuously

Use:

Netonix or MikroTik switches
SNMP monitoring
Cambium cnMaestro
Ubiquiti UISP
Zabbix
The Dude

Monitoring ensures early detection of failures or alignment shifts.

Improving Link Reliability for PtP Networks

High reliability is essential for backhaul links feeding thousands of customers.

To enhance stability:

Increase fade margin to 20–30 dB
Use licensed bands for congested areas
Add dual polarization antennas
Implement GPS sync for tower clusters
Maintain line-of-sight vegetation clearance
Use low-noise radios and high-grade cables
Use galvanic isolation and surge protection

Carrier-grade reliability is achievable when combining proper engineering with high-quality radios.

Product Recommendations for High-Availability Backhaul

Below are recommended solutions to build long-lasting and powerful backhaul networks.

Ubiquiti airFiber AF-5XHD

Excellent for medium-to-long range unlicensed backhaul.

airFiber 11FX

A strong solution for licensed 11 GHz spectrum.

Cambium PTP 670

Industry favorite for long-distance PtP with exceptional fade margin.

Cambium PTP 820 Microwave Series

Carrier-grade licensed microwave for ultimate reliability.

Mimosa B11

Excellent licensed link for 10–40 km distances.

60 GHz multi-gig radios (Ubiquiti / Cambium / Mikrotik)

Perfect for rooftpo-to-rooftop and urban network.

Conclusion: Construct Your High-Availability Backhaul Correctly

Every ISP and WISP must build a robust, scalable, and durable wireless backbone. Even over very long distances, wireless systems may provide fiber-like dependability with the correct mix of technologies, careful design, and robust architecture.

From wireless backhaul to high-availability backhaul, from point-to-point wireless links to microwave backhaul systems, and from Ubiquiti airFiber to Cambium PTP solutions and Mimosa backhaul radios, today’s ISPs have more powerful tools than ever.

By following best practices, choosing the right frequency band, designing with redundancy, and selecting the best gear for each link, ISPs can create world-class backhaul networks that deliver stable, high-speed, and long-range connectivity to customers.