What is a UniFi Building Bridge?
A UniFi Building Bridge is a pair of outdoor radios that link two buildings wirelessly instead of trenching fiber. The standard model carries up to 1.7 Gbps over 60 GHz at up to 500 m (1,640 ft), with a 5 GHz radio as backup.
North Carolina plants and distributors often have a detached shop, a guard shack, a second warehouse across a lot, or a camera pole at the back fence. Trenching conduit across paving and active truck lanes is disruptive and slow. A bridge can carry the network across in a day, managed in the same UniFi console as everything else.
Which UniFi bridge fits my distance and bandwidth?
Under 500 m with a clear view, use a Building Bridge (1.7 Gbps) or Building Bridge XG (6 Gbps). For a longer link carrying a few cameras or a gate, the Device Bridge Pro reaches about 5 km at up to 867 Mbps. Multi-kilometer links move to Ubiquiti's UISP line.
| Model | Band | Max rate | Range | Managed in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Building Bridge | 60 GHz + 5 GHz backup | 1.7 Gbps | 500 m | UniFi Network |
| Building Bridge XG | 60 GHz + 5 GHz backup | 6 Gbps | 500 m | UniFi Network |
| Device Bridge Pro | 5 GHz (WiFi 5) | 867 Mbps | About 5 km | UniFi Network |
| Wave MLO5 | 5 GHz | 5+ Gbps | Up to 100 km | UISP (separate platform) |
Key takeaway: For a single campus, stay in the UniFi bridge line so everything lives in one console. UISP radios are aimed at ISPs and need their own management platform.
What does a wireless bridge need to work reliably?
Clear line of sight between both ends, solid mounts that will not move in wind, and a plan for what grows into the path. Rated range is a maximum; trees, parked trailers and new construction are the common reasons links fail later.
- Line of sight means a clear path with room around the direct line, not just being able to see the other building. Tree lines in leaf season are a common problem in the Piedmont.
- Mounts: a rigid wall or pole mount holds alignment; a loose mast can knock a 60 GHz link out in wind.
- Power and grounding: Building Bridges are PoE powered, 11W max for the standard model and 29W for the XG, per Ubiquiti. Both ends need a protected power source.
- Weather: the standard Building Bridge is IPX6 rated for -40 to 70 C. The 5 GHz backup radio keeps the link up at a lower rate if the 60 GHz path degrades.
Is a wireless bridge cheaper than running fiber between buildings?
Often, for short links across paving or active yards: a Building Bridge starts at $279 in the US store (observed Sep 2026, subject to change), and there is no trenching. Fiber is still the better long-term answer where conduit already exists or bandwidth needs will keep growing.
Bridges have no license fees and are managed in UniFi Network. One cost detail matters: Ubiquiti's limited warranty excludes radio products that are "not professionally installed", which is a practical reason to have the link installed and documented by a professional. For overall budgeting, see what a UniFi installation costs.
How do you secure a building-to-building wireless link?
Treat the far building as part of your network: carry the right VLANs across the link and nothing more, keep the bridge firmware current, and monitor the link. The bridge is managed from the same UniFi OS console that CISA flagged for three exploited flaws in June 2026.
See the CISA alert and our UniFi OS CVE response plan. A guard shack or remote shed is often the least physically secure part of a site, so PDC limits what its network ports can reach.
Why use a local installer for a UniFi bridge?
A bridge is a physical job: roofs, poles, lifts, grounding and alignment. A local installer surveys the path in person and can come back when a new building or tree line gets in the way.
- Local and accountable: Preferred Data Corporation was founded in 1987 (39 years in business) and is based in High Point, with on-site service within 200 miles, which covers the Piedmont Triad, Charlotte, Raleigh and most of North Carolina.
- Member of the UniFi Partner Program, and a full MSP/MSSP: the same team handles managed IT, cybersecurity and structured cabling and network work, so nobody points fingers between the WiFi installer and the IT provider.
- Track record with clients: 100+ active clients and a 20+ year average client tenure, plus a BBB A+ rating and 24/7 monitoring for managed clients.
Which Building Bridges models do we typically specify?
These are the current models our engineers reach for most often. The right one depends on your building, users and budget, so we confirm the final list after a site walk.
Building Bridge
Best for: Linking a nearby building or shop up to 500 m away
- 60 GHz main radio up to 1.7 Gbps, 5 GHz backup at 866.6 Mbps
- Up to 500 m (1,640 ft)
- GbE, PoE, 11W max; IPX6; -40 to 70 C
- US store price from $279 (observed Sep 2026, subject to change)
Building Bridge XG
Best for: Short links that must carry multi-gig traffic, such as camera-heavy buildings
- 60 GHz main radio up to 6 Gbps, 5 GHz backup
- Up to 500 m (1,640 ft)
- GbE + 10G SFP+; 29W max; IPX6; -40 to 55 C
- US store price from $549, shown out of stock on the US store on 2026-09-22 (observed Sep 2026, subject to change)
Device Bridge Pro
Best for: Longer, lower-bandwidth links to a gate, pole or remote shed
- WiFi 5, 5 GHz, up to 867 Mbps
- About 5 km (3.1 mi) range
- (2) GbE, one with passive PoE out (needs PoE+ in); IPX6
- US store price $199 (observed Sep 2026, subject to change)
Wave MLO5
Best for: Long-haul links between distant sites (UISP line, managed outside UniFi Network)
- 5 GHz, "5+ Gbps"
- Up to 100 km (62.1 mi)
- 10 GbE + 10G SFP+; 20W max; IPX6
What does Preferred Data deliver?
- Path survey: line of sight, obstructions, mounting points and future growth (trees, new buildings, stacked trailers) between both ends.
- Recommendation on bridge versus fiber, including when trenching is the better long-term answer.
- Mounting, grounding and weatherproofing on roofs, walls or poles, with lift access where needed.
- Alignment and link verification, with throughput tested at both ends.
- Configuration in the UniFi console, VLANs carried across the link, and monitoring of link health.
- Documentation of both ends, and managed support if the link degrades.
Frequently asked questions
How far can a UniFi Building Bridge reach?
Ubiquiti rates the Building Bridge and Building Bridge XG for up to 500 m (1,640 ft), and the Device Bridge Pro for about 5 km (3.1 mi). Real range depends on line of sight and mounting.
Does a UniFi Building Bridge work in rain?
It is IPX6 rated for outdoor use, and it carries a 5 GHz backup radio alongside the 60 GHz main link so the connection continues at a lower rate if the 60 GHz path degrades.
Can I run cameras and WiFi in a second building over a bridge?
Yes. The bridge carries your network to a switch in the second building, which can power APs and cameras. For camera-heavy buildings, the Building Bridge XG adds a 10G SFP+ port and up to 6 Gbps on 60 GHz.
Do I need line of sight for a UniFi bridge?
Yes, a clear path between both radios is required. PDC checks it during a site survey, including tree lines and anything likely to be built or parked in the path.
How do I get a bridge survey?
Call (336) 886-3282 or contact PDC. We survey sites within 200 miles of High Point.