Description

Ubiquiti LiteBeam 5AC LR (LBE-5AC-LR) — Long-Range 5GHz airMAX ac Wireless Bridge

The Ubiquiti LiteBeam 5AC LR (LBE-5AC-LR) is a long-range outdoor wireless bridge built for point-to-point and point-to-multipoint links over the 5GHz band using Ubiquiti’s airMAX ac platform. As the extended-range sibling to the LiteBeam 5AC Gen2, it uses a larger 26dBi antenna and a bigger reflector dish to push reliable connectivity out to 25+ km — making it well suited for connecting distant towers and subscribers, extending internet to remote or rural sites, or linking long-haul backhaul connections where a standard LiteBeam simply can’t reach.

For buyers in Pakistan looking for a cost-effective, long-distance 5GHz airMAX ac bridge for WISP subscriber links, rural connectivity, or extended point-to-point backhaul, the Ubiquiti LiteBeam 5AC LR (LBE-5AC-LR) is one of the most widely deployed long-range CPE devices on the market, offering serious reach without stepping up to a heavier, more expensive PowerBeam unit.

Built-In Antenna and InnerFeed Design

The Ubiquiti Litebeam 5AC LR (LBE-5AC-LR)  integrates a 26dBi gain antenna into its lightweight dish enclosure using Ubiquiti’s InnerFeed technology, which places the radio directly into the antenna’s feedhorn instead of connecting it through an external cable. This eliminates cable losses and keeps the design simple to mount and aim, while the larger reflector — compared to the standard LiteBeam 5AC Gen2 — is what delivers the extra gain and extended range this “LR” (Long Range) model is built for.

Operating in the 5GHz band, the Ubiquiti Litebeam 5AC LR (LBE-5AC-LR) uses a tightly focused directional beam that not only extends range but also improves noise immunity, a valuable trait in areas crowded with overlapping wireless signals — a common challenge in dense urban zones across Pakistan, as well as in congested rural deployments with multiple competing WISPs.

Processing Power and Throughput

Inside, the Ubiquiti Litebeam 5AC LR (LBE-5AC-LR)  runs on the same core airMAX ac hardware platform as the Gen2 model, supporting data throughput of 450+ Mbps. This gives the LBE-5AC-LR a meaningful throughput advantage over older airMAX M-series long-range hardware, while keeping the same design priority: a stable, low-latency link over extreme distance rather than raw local processing power.

A standout feature of the Ubiquiti Litebeam 5AC LR (LBE-5AC-LR)  is its dedicated management radio — a separate Wi-Fi interface used purely for configuration and monitoring. This means the primary data radio is never interrupted for management traffic, and the unit can be discovered, configured, and monitored through the UISP Mobile App even before the main long-distance link is fully established and aligned.

Output Power and Extended Range

The Ubiquiti Litebeam 5AC LR (LBE-5AC-LR)  is engineered specifically for extended-range links, with its higher 26dBi gain antenna and airMAX ac’s improved modulation and noise filtering combining to support connections of 25+ km under good line-of-sight conditions, depending on terrain and obstructions. This makes the Ubiquiti Litebeam 5AC LR (LBE-5AC-LR)  a strong option for rural and semi-rural WISP deployments across Pakistan, where towers and subscriber sites are often spread across large distances that a standard-range LiteBeam can’t comfortably cover.

Gigabit Networking Interface

The Ubiquiti LiteBeam 5AC LR (LBE-5AC-LR) includes a single Gigabit Ethernet port, used both for data connectivity and power delivery. This removes the wired-port bottleneck found on older 10/100 M-series LiteBeam units, ensuring the wireless link itself — not the Ethernet interface — is the limiting factor for throughput, an important consideration for WISPs offering higher-speed subscriber packages over long-distance links.

Passive PoE for Simple Outdoor Installation

The Ubiquiti Litebeam 5AC LR (LBE-5AC-LR)  is powered using 2-pair Passive PoE (pins 4,5+ and 7,8 return), with a 24V, 0.3A Gigabit PoE adapter included in the box. Only a single Ethernet cable needs to reach the mounting location, with no separate power run required — simplifying rooftop, pole, or tower installations even at extended range.

Maximum power consumption is rated at 7W. Because Passive PoE is used, it’s important to stick with the included PoE adapter — substituting an incompatible power source isn’t recommended for the Ubiquiti Litebeam 5AC LR (LBE-5AC-LR).

Rugged, Long-Range Outdoor Design

The Ubiquiti Litebeam 5AC LR (LBE-5AC-LR) weighs approximately 1.4 kg without the mount (1.7 kg with mount) and measures roughly 512 x 386 x 258 mm — notably larger than the standard LiteBeam 5AC Gen2, reflecting the bigger reflector needed to achieve its extended 25+ km range. It ships with a pole mounting kit that allows separate azimuth and elevation adjustments, along with a built-in bubble level to help installers get the mounting angle right the first time, which matters even more at extreme distances where small aiming errors can significantly affect signal quality.

The unit is rated for wind survivability of up to 200 km/h (125 mph), with a wind loading of 550 N at that speed, and includes ±24kV ESD/EMP protection — covering everything from Pakistan’s peak summer heat to cold northern winters in exposed, elevated installations.

Configuration Through airOS and UISP

The Ubiquiti Litebeam 5AC LR (LBE-5AC-LR) runs on Ubiquiti’s airOS firmware and is fully compatible with the UISP platform, including the UISP Mobile App for streamlined deployment, configuration, and troubleshooting. Basic setup — IP addressing, wireless mode (Station or Access Point), and security settings — can typically be completed in a few minutes, while the dedicated management radio makes remote monitoring and adjustment far more convenient for WISPs managing large numbers of long-range subscriber units.

Compliance and Build Quality

The Ubiquiti Litebeam 5AC LR (LBE-5AC-LR) carries CE, FCC, and IC certifications, meeting recognized international standards for wireless emissions and environmental safety — relevant for commercial or institutional deployments where compliance documentation is required.

Common Use Cases for the LiteBeam AC LR

Given its extended range, improved throughput, and outdoor rating, the Ubiquiti Litebeam 5AC LR (LBE-5AC-LR) is purpose-built for scenarios where distance is the primary challenge. WISPs frequently deploy it as customer-premises equipment (CPE) to connect subscribers back to a distant tower or access point across long rural stretches, while paired units can bridge two remote buildings separated by many kilometers without running physical cable. It’s also a strong fit for connecting far-flung farms, remote monitoring stations, or border and perimeter surveillance sites where standard-range CPE devices simply can’t maintain a reliable link.

How It Compares to the LiteBeam 5AC Gen2

Compared to the standard LiteBeam 5AC Gen2, the Ubiquiti Litebeam 5AC LR (LBE-5AC-LR)  trades a slightly larger, heavier form factor for a significant boost in range — moving from roughly 15+ km up to 25+ km under good line-of-sight conditions — thanks to its higher 26dBi gain antenna and larger reflector. Both models share the same airMAX ac chipset, Gigabit Ethernet port, and dedicated management radio, so the choice between them typically comes down to distance requirements rather than throughput or feature differences.

Why Choose the LiteBeam 5AC LR (LBE-5AC-LR)

The Ubiquiti LiteBeam AC LR combines a high-gain InnerFeed antenna design, Gigabit connectivity, dedicated management radio, and airMAX ac performance in a rugged, easy-to-install outdoor package built specifically for extreme distance. For WISPs, installers, and businesses in Pakistan needing a proven, long-range 5GHz bridge to reach subscribers or sites that standard CPE can’t cover, the LiteBeam AC LR stands out as one of the most cost-effective, distance-focused options in Ubiquiti’s airMAX lineup.