Published: April 9, 2026
There is a scenario that comes up regularly for businesses with multiple locations: you have a warehouse and an office 300 metres apart, or a second building across the street. Running fibre would mean digging up pavement, negotiating with the municipality, or crossing a road you do not own. It is expensive, slow, and sometimes simply not permitted.
The alternative is a point-to-point (P2P) wireless link — a dedicated radio link between two fixed points that behaves like a cable, but through the air. Done correctly, it is fast, stable, and considerably cheaper than a physical connection.
Done incorrectly, it is a persistent headache.
What a P2P Link Actually Is
A point-to-point wireless bridge is not the same as extending your Wi-Fi network. Consumer Wi-Fi repeaters and even business access points in mesh configuration are multi-purpose devices serving many clients simultaneously. They are designed for flexibility, not for maximum throughput between two fixed points.
A proper P2P link uses dedicated hardware: directional antennas on both ends, pointed precisely at each other, operating on frequencies that are either licensed (avoiding interference entirely) or in the upper 5 GHz or 60 GHz unlicensed bands where congestion is minimal.
The result is a dedicated channel between two points. Your network treats it as if it were a cable. Devices at both locations appear on the same network, share resources, and reach each other with low latency.
Frequency and Distance
The right frequency depends on the distance and environment:
5 GHz unlicensed (standard P2P bridge): Suitable for distances from 50 metres up to 5 to 10 kilometres depending on line of sight and hardware. Throughput of 200 Mbps to 1+ Gbps is typical with quality hardware. Affected by rain at longer distances, and by interference if there are other 5 GHz devices in the area.
60 GHz (millimetre wave): Very high throughput, often 1 to 2 Gbps, but limited to shorter distances (typically under 500 metres) and significantly attenuated by rain. Ideal for connecting buildings on the same campus.
Licensed microwave (11, 18, 23 GHz): Used for longer distances and situations where interference-free operation is required. Requires a frequency licence from Agentschap Telecom in the Netherlands. More expensive in hardware and setup, but effectively immune to interference from neighbours.
For most SME scenarios — connecting two buildings within a few hundred metres — a quality 5 GHz or 60 GHz unlicensed bridge is sufficient.
Line of Sight Is Non-Negotiable
The single most important requirement for a P2P wireless link is unobstructed line of sight between the two antennas. Not just visual line of sight — the radio signal needs what is called a Fresnel zone, an elliptical area around the direct path that must also be clear.
This means:
- Trees are a problem, especially when they grow and move in the wind over time
- Buildings that are not currently blocking the path may be built in the future
- Antenna mounting points must be high enough to clear all obstacles, including potential future ones
- The link should be surveyed from both ends before hardware is purchased
A rooftop mount that looks fine in summer can be partially obscured by foliage by August. These situations are avoidable with a proper site survey.
What a Professional Installation Looks Like
A properly deployed P2P link involves more than buying two radios and pointing them at each other.
Site survey: Assess both mounting locations, verify line of sight, check for sources of interference, identify cable routing paths, and confirm structural suitability of mounting points.
Hardware selection: Match the hardware to the distance, required throughput, and environment. Brands like Ubiquiti, MikroTik, and Cambium each have their place depending on the application.
Alignment: Directional antennas must be aligned with precision — a few degrees off can significantly reduce signal strength. Modern P2P hardware has alignment tools built in, but the initial setup should be done by someone who has done it before.
Integration: The link needs to be integrated into your existing network infrastructure correctly. This includes VLAN configuration, routing, and ensuring that firewall policies treat the link appropriately.
Monitoring: Like any network link, a P2P bridge should be monitored for signal quality, throughput, and uptime. Signal degradation often precedes failure and gives time to investigate before the link drops.
Realistic Performance Expectations
A well-designed 5 GHz P2P link between two buildings 200 metres apart will perform as well as a physical cable for most practical purposes. Latency will be 1 to 5 milliseconds — imperceptible in use. Throughput of 500 Mbps to 1 Gbps is achievable with quality hardware.
What wireless cannot replicate is the absolute reliability of fibre. A properly designed link will have availability well above 99%, but it is not equivalent to a buried cable for uptime-critical applications. In those cases, the wireless link is better used as a backup path alongside a primary fibre connection.
When Wireless Is Not the Right Answer
There are situations where a P2P link is the wrong tool:
- Obstructed line of sight with no alternative mounting options
- Shared ownership of rooftops that introduces installation or access complications
- Very high bandwidth requirements (multi-gigabit) that exceed what unlicensed P2P can reliably deliver
- High availability requirements in locations prone to severe weather or where any interruption is unacceptable
In those cases, it is worth investing in fibre, even if the upfront cost is higher. A P2P link is an excellent solution for the right situation — not a universal substitute for physical connectivity.
A Common Application: Warehouse to Office
One of the most common P2P deployments in the SME space is a short hop between a warehouse and a nearby office. The warehouse needs network connectivity for inventory systems, label printers, handheld scanners, and IP cameras. Running cable is impractical. A 60 GHz bridge between rooftops, 80 metres apart, delivers gigabit throughput and connects everything cleanly in an afternoon.
The IP cameras feed into the NVR at the office. The handheld scanners connect to the ERP system. The door access system logs centrally. All of it looks like a single network.
If you are weighing up the options for connecting two locations — whether it is buildings on the same site, a second office in a nearby street, or a remote storage facility — it is worth getting a proper assessment before committing to either route.