Outdoor 5 GHz wireless bridge radio
Ubiquiti Rocket M5 AC Point-to-Point Lite RM5-AC-PTP-Lite in Dubai, UAE
The RM5-AC-PTP-Lite is designed for organisations that need a configurable outdoor wireless link between separated buildings or sites. It combines a 5 GHz airMAX ac radio, Gigabit Ethernet and external antenna flexibility, allowing the link design to be matched to distance, interference and mounting conditions rather than relying on a fixed integrated antenna.
Planning a wireless bridge?
Share the endpoint distance, required capacity, site photos and mounting height so the correct radios, antennas and accessories can be reviewed.
5 GHz, region dependent
Point-to-point or compatible airMAX use
External, selected separately
24V passive PoE
Confirm exact bundle contents
Direct answer for buyers
The Ubiquiti Rocket M5 AC Point-to-Point Lite RM5-AC-PTP-Lite is an outdoor 5 GHz radio used as one side of a directional wireless bridge when paired with a suitable airMAX antenna. It is relevant to buyers connecting offices, warehouses, compounds, surveillance points or temporary project locations where trenching cable is difficult. Before proceeding, confirm whether the quotation must include one radio or both link ends, the compatible antennas, passive PoE equipment, surge protection, mounting hardware and configuration services. Distance alone is not enough to size the link; line of sight, Fresnel-zone clearance, interference, local channel regulations and the required real application throughput must also be assessed.
What it does
The Rocket5ac Lite platform acts as a modular outdoor wireless radio. Instead of containing a permanently fixed antenna, it connects to a compatible Ubiquiti airMAX antenna through two weather-resistant RP-SMA interfaces. This modular approach lets an installer choose a directional dish for a point-to-point bridge or another supported antenna where the deployment requires a different coverage pattern. For a typical building-to-building project, a matched radio and directional antenna are installed at each endpoint, carefully aligned, configured on an appropriate channel and connected to the local Ethernet network.
Who it suits
This model may suit an organisation that already understands airMAX deployment principles or is working with an experienced wireless installer. It is particularly relevant where antenna flexibility is valuable, because the final coverage and gain are determined by the selected external antenna. Buyers seeking a simple indoor office access point, consumer Wi-Fi coverage or a device managed through the UniFi Network application should not treat this Rocket radio as an equivalent replacement. Its role is outdoor backhaul and fixed wireless connectivity rather than general indoor client access.
Business problems this radio can help address
Separated buildings
A clear wireless path can link two buildings without opening roads, floors or landscaped areas for new cabling. The design should still be compared with fibre where long-term capacity, electromagnetic immunity or regulatory requirements make a wired link more appropriate.
Remote cameras and systems
A point-to-point bridge can carry IP traffic for surveillance, access control, telemetry or operational networks. Required bandwidth should be calculated from the connected applications rather than estimated only from the radio headline rate.
Temporary project connectivity
Construction compounds and short-to-medium-term sites may benefit from a relocatable wireless path. Mounting stability, power availability, weather exposure and future obstruction risks must still be included in the plan.
Legacy airMAX expansion
Organisations maintaining an existing airMAX ac environment may consider the model for compatible expansion or replacement. Firmware, antenna, regional variant and network design compatibility should be checked before it is added to an older deployment.
Core capabilities relevant to a fixed wireless link
Designed for outdoor fixed wireless use in supported frequency ranges, subject to country settings and local regulation.
The wired interface avoids the 100 Mbps port limitation found on some earlier outdoor radio platforms.
Two RF connections support compatible dual-polarity antennas selected according to the coverage and link objective.
Power and data share the Ethernet cable, simplifying rooftop or mast installation when the correct 24V passive PoE equipment is used.
Product-fit matrix
| Requirement | Suitable when | Confirm before ordering |
|---|---|---|
| Building-to-building bridge | There is clear line of sight and a stable mounting position at each end. | Distance, Fresnel clearance, antenna gain, target throughput and both endpoint kits. |
| High-interference location | A spectrum assessment identifies usable 5 GHz channels and directional antennas can improve isolation. | Whether a newer airPrism or other platform is more appropriate for the noise environment. |
| Long outdoor path | Link planning supports the path and the selected dishes provide an adequate signal margin. | Regulatory EIRP limits, tower loading, alignment tolerance and weather-related fade margin. |
| Simple indoor Wi-Fi | Generally not the intended role. | Consider a suitable indoor access point platform instead. |
Verified product information
| Brand | Ubiquiti |
|---|---|
| Product identity | Rocket M5 AC Point-to-Point Lite / Rocket5ac Lite |
| Referenced code | RM5-AC-PTP-LITE; confirm regional packaging and current replacement status |
| Related manufacturer model | R5AC-Lite |
| Product type | Outdoor 5 GHz airMAX ac radio for fixed wireless links |
| Operating frequency | 5150–5875 MHz worldwide range in manufacturer documentation; usable channels are region dependent |
| Maximum output power | Up to 27 dBm, subject to modulation and regional limits |
| Networking interface | One 10/100/1000 Ethernet port |
| RF connections | Two weather-resistant RP-SMA connectors |
| Processor and memory | Atheros MIPS 74Kc 720 MHz, 128 MB DDR2 SDRAM and 16 MB NOR flash |
| Power method | 24V passive PoE; use only compatible injectors or switches |
| Maximum power consumption | 8.5W |
| Dimensions | 162 × 84 × 37 mm |
| Weight | 250 g |
| Operating temperature | -40 to 80°C in the referenced Rocket5ac documentation |
| Important note | The radio requires an appropriate external antenna. Exact included items, lifecycle status, firmware suitability and UAE availability must be confirmed. |
Compatibility and lifecycle notice
The RM5-AC-PTP-LITE name has appeared in earlier regional channel listings, while Ubiquiti manufacturer documentation identifies the closely associated radio as Rocket5ac Lite, model R5AC-Lite. Buyers should not assume that every listing contains the same regional hardware, power accessory or antenna bundle. Some sources also classify the older RM5-AC-PTP-LITE package as discontinued. For a new project, FourTeck should confirm whether the exact requested code remains obtainable, whether a current alternative is more appropriate and whether the chosen antenna, firmware and endpoint radio combination are supported. Never mix airMAX generations or antenna types solely because the connectors appear physically compatible. Radio protocol, firmware capabilities, channel widths and regional settings must be reviewed as a complete system.
A practical purchase and deployment journey
Define the traffic
List the systems that will cross the bridge, their normal and peak traffic, sensitivity to latency and expected growth.
Survey the path
Confirm endpoint coordinates, mounting heights, line of sight, Fresnel clearance and possible future obstructions.
Select antennas
Match dish gain and beamwidth to distance, interference, alignment difficulty, legal EIRP and structural limitations.
Build the bill of materials
Include both endpoint radios, antennas, PoE equipment, shielded cable, grounding, surge protection and mounting hardware.
Install and align
Use stable mounts, correct weatherproofing and careful alignment. Poor installation can erase the benefit of a well-selected radio.
Test and document
Record signal levels, channel settings, throughput, firmware, management access and recovery procedures before handover.
Antenna choice determines the finished link
The Rocket radio is only one part of the wireless system. A point-to-point deployment generally uses highly directional dish antennas at both ends because a narrow beam concentrates energy toward the remote site and reduces reception of unwanted signals from other directions. A wider-beam antenna may be easier to align, but it can collect more interference and provide less gain. A higher-gain dish may extend link margin, yet it normally has a narrower beam and requires stronger mounting accuracy. The correct choice therefore comes from a link budget and site assessment rather than from selecting the largest antenna available.
Ubiquiti documentation lists several RocketDish and airMAX antenna families as compatible with Rocket5ac Lite. Compatibility should still be confirmed for the exact antenna revision and project. The installer must also account for wind loading, pole diameter, corrosion exposure, access for maintenance and the route of the shielded Ethernet cable. In coastal or exposed UAE environments, physical installation quality, grounding and surge protection deserve the same attention as the radio settings. FourTeck can assist with a complete bill of materials so that a quotation does not omit the parts needed to deploy both ends of the bridge.
Performance should be planned as an application requirement
Wireless throughput is affected by channel width, modulation rate, signal strength, noise, protocol overhead, Ethernet traffic pattern and the quality of alignment. A headline platform figure is not a guaranteed user data rate. The design target should begin with the application: the number and resolution of camera streams, the amount of file transfer, voice or control traffic, backup windows and acceptable latency. Capacity should then include reasonable headroom rather than operating continuously at saturation.
A wider channel can provide more potential capacity but may be more difficult to place in a busy spectrum environment. A narrower channel can improve noise tolerance and frequency reuse but reduces peak throughput. The optimal setting is established after spectrum review and testing at the site. For business-critical traffic, buyers should also consider what happens if the wireless path becomes unavailable. Depending on the operational impact, that may involve a backup internet path, a second independent wireless route, local recording at a camera site or a defined restoration process. The Rocket5ac Lite should be selected as part of that wider continuity plan.
Management, security and operational control
The radio is configured through the airOS platform associated with its generation. Network administrators should establish unique management credentials, restrict management access, document IP addressing and keep firmware decisions under change control. A wireless bridge extends an Ethernet network across physical space, so its traffic design should follow the same segmentation and access-control principles used on wired infrastructure. VLANs, routing boundaries and firewall policy may be required depending on the systems connected at the remote endpoint.
Management reachability should be tested from the correct administration network, and configuration backups should be retained. Firmware updates should not be applied without reviewing compatibility and release information, particularly where older radios are paired across an established link. The deployment documentation should identify each radio, antenna, mounting location, cable route, PoE source, frequency, channel width, link name and emergency access method. These records reduce troubleshooting time and help a future support engineer understand whether a problem is caused by RF conditions, Ethernet cabling, power, configuration or the applications using the bridge.
Ideal environments and use cases
Warehouses and logistics yards
Connect a remote gatehouse, secondary warehouse or operational building where a clear rooftop path is available and trenching would disrupt activity.
Hospitality and property compounds
Extend network services between buildings while keeping guest, operations, security and management traffic logically separated.
Construction projects
Provide a temporary backhaul path for site offices, cameras or access control, with a plan for relocation as the site layout changes.
Education and campuses
Link nearby buildings when a properly engineered wireless route supports the required capacity, security and service continuity.
Industrial facilities
Carry non-safety-critical IP services across a site, subject to RF survey, environmental assessment and appropriate network segmentation.
Remote surveillance points
Backhaul camera traffic from a location with local power and mounting access. Camera bitrate, local recording and outage behaviour should be planned.
Questions to resolve before requesting a quotation
Procurement checklist
- Confirm RM5-AC-PTP-LITE or accepted replacement model.
- State the required radio quantity and number of complete links.
- Provide endpoint coordinates, path distance and mounting heights.
- Confirm target throughput and connected applications.
- Select compatible antennas for both ends.
- Verify regional frequency and EIRP requirements.
- Include compatible passive PoE equipment.
- Specify shielded outdoor Ethernet cable and surge protection.
- Confirm pole, wall or tower mounting components.
- Decide whether site survey and link planning are required.
- Define installation, alignment and configuration responsibility.
- Request firmware, management and handover documentation.
- Confirm current warranty terms and vendor lead time.
- Plan backup connectivity where the link is operationally critical.
How FourTeck can assist
FourTeck can help translate the project requirement into a clearer bill of materials. This may include reviewing the requested radio code, comparing it with currently available airMAX options, identifying appropriate antennas, estimating the number of endpoint devices, checking passive PoE requirements and discussing installation or configuration scope. For an accurate review, buyers should share the path distance, endpoint photographs, mounting heights, expected traffic, required availability and any existing Ubiquiti equipment that must remain compatible.
The quotation can then distinguish hardware from optional services and accessories. This reduces the risk of receiving a radio without the antenna, power equipment, mounting parts or second endpoint required for a functioning bridge. For broader infrastructure assistance, visit the FourTeck technology services page, browse network and security products, or send the project requirement for quotation coordination.
UAE availability and support guidance
Contact FourTeck to confirm current UAE availability of the exact RM5-AC-PTP-LITE code or an appropriate current alternative. Availability may depend on model lifecycle, regional hardware, quantity and vendor lead time. Delivery and project coordination can be discussed once the required radios, antennas, PoE equipment and installation scope are confirmed. Businesses in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman can request a consolidated review covering product selection, compatible accessories, configuration requirements and installation planning. No availability or installation date should be assumed until the exact bill of materials, destination and project conditions have been reviewed.
GCC availability
FourTeck can assist GCC organisations evaluating the Ubiquiti Rocket M5 AC Point-to-Point Lite or a suitable replacement for regional fixed wireless projects. The review can cover destination country, path requirements, radio and antenna selection, passive PoE, mounting accessories, quotation coordination and the need for remote or on-site configuration support. Requirements in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman may differ because permitted frequency ranges, product variants, import arrangements and project access conditions are not identical. Product availability, service visits, delivery schedules and vendor lead times can vary by country, model and quantity. Buyers should provide the exact destination, required number of links, expected throughput, antenna preference, installation location and target project schedule. FourTeck can then discuss suitable procurement and deployment options without assuming local inventory or a fixed delivery commitment. For Kuwait-related coordination, the FourTeck Kuwait technology portal may also be relevant.
Africa availability
Organisations planning wireless links in Africa can contact FourTeck for model evaluation, accessory planning and regional procurement guidance. A suitable design depends on more than the radio name: destination, allowed channels, power arrangements, tower or rooftop access, cable and surge-protection standards, shipping method, installation capability and expected environmental conditions all affect the finished solution. Projects in East Africa, including Kenya and Uganda, as well as requirements in other African regions, should be reviewed individually. Buyers are encouraged to share the exact country, number of endpoints, path distance, expected capacity, deployment schedule and whether installation or remote configuration assistance is required. Availability and fulfilment may depend on the requested model, quantity, regional hardware, vendor lead time and local project conditions. FourTeck does not assume local inventory or guaranteed customs outcomes. Visit the FourTeck Africa technology site, Kenya support portal or Uganda technology portal for regional enquiry routes.
Related products and services to consider
RocketDish antenna
A directional antenna may be required at each end of a point-to-point link. Exact gain and model should be selected from the link plan.
Newer airMAX radio options
For a new deployment, current Rocket or airMAX alternatives may provide better lifecycle alignment or interference handling. Suitability must be compared, not assumed.
Outdoor cabling and protection
Shielded Ethernet cable, grounding and compatible surge protection are essential parts of a professional outdoor installation.
Wireless site survey
A survey can identify path obstacles, mounting challenges and spectrum conditions before hardware is finalised.
Installation and alignment
Correct physical alignment, weatherproofing and cable routing strongly influence long-term link quality.
Network integration
VLANs, routing, switching and firewall policies may be required to integrate the bridge securely into the business network.
Frequently asked questions
Is RM5-AC-PTP-LITE a complete point-to-point kit?
Do not assume it is a complete two-end kit. Regional listings and package naming can differ. Confirm whether the quotation includes one radio, two radios, antennas, PoE adapters and mounting accessories.
Does the radio include an antenna?
The Rocket5ac Lite is a modular radio intended for connection to a compatible external airMAX antenna. Exact package contents should be confirmed before ordering.
Can it connect two buildings?
Yes, when a suitable radio and directional antenna are installed at each endpoint and the path has adequate line of sight, clearance and signal margin.
What throughput will the link provide?
Actual throughput is configuration and site dependent. Channel width, interference, signal level, antenna alignment and protocol overhead all affect usable application capacity.
Can it be powered by standard 802.3af PoE?
The referenced model uses 24V passive PoE. Do not connect it to a power source unless voltage, polarity and PoE method are confirmed compatible.
Is it suitable for indoor office Wi-Fi?
It is primarily an outdoor fixed wireless radio, not a general indoor client access point. Indoor Wi-Fi should be designed with an appropriate access point platform.
Is the model still current?
The RM5-AC-PTP-LITE code appears in older channel listings, and some sources classify it as discontinued. FourTeck should confirm current availability and suitable alternatives.
What information is needed for a quote?
Provide the destination, number of links, endpoint distance, mounting heights, expected throughput, connected applications, installation scope and any required compatibility with existing airMAX equipment.
Can FourTeck help with installation and configuration?
Installation, alignment, configuration and testing can be discussed as separate quotation items after the site and scope are reviewed.
Confirm the correct radio, antennas and link scope
Send FourTeck the endpoint distance, site details, capacity target and required quantity for a model, compatibility and availability review.
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