Ubiquiti LiteBeam AC Gen2 — Price & Stock in Lebanon
Ubiquiti LiteBeam AC Gen2: The Most Deployed CPE in Lebanese WISP Networks
The Ubiquiti LiteBeam AC Gen2 (model LBE-5AC-Gen2) is the default subscriber CPE for the majority of WISPs operating across Lebanon. It combines a 23 dBi directional dish antenna with an 802.11ac 2x2 MIMO radio, delivering 450+ Mbps throughput at distances exceeding 15 km. At its price point, no other CPE matches the LiteBeam AC's combination of gain, throughput, and mechanical durability for point-to-multipoint subscriber deployments.
HI-GAIN stocks the LiteBeam AC Gen2 in bulk at our Dora, Beirut warehouse. As Lebanon's networking equipment distributor since 1990, we supply WISPs, ISPs, and installers across the country with same-day pickup and volume pricing.
LiteBeam AC Gen2 Full Specifications
Radio and Antenna
The LBE-5AC-Gen2 operates in the 5 GHz band (5150-5875 MHz) and uses Ubiquiti's airMAX ac TDMA protocol for efficient spectrum sharing across multiple subscribers on a single access point. Key radio specifications:
- Antenna Gain: 23 dBi integrated directional dish
- MIMO Configuration: 2x2
- Maximum TX Power: 25 dBm
- Channel Width: 10/20/30/40/50/60/80 MHz (PtP mode), 10/20/30/40 MHz (PtMP mode)
- Maximum Throughput: 450+ Mbps
- Maximum Range: 15+ km (line of sight)
The narrow beam width of the 23 dBi dish concentrates RF energy toward the access point, rejecting interference from competing networks — a critical advantage in Lebanon's crowded 5 GHz spectrum, especially in dense urban areas like Beirut, Jounieh, and Tripoli where dozens of WISPs operate simultaneously.
Networking and Power
- Ethernet Port: 1x 10/100/1000 Gigabit
- Power: 24V, 0.3A Gigabit PoE adapter (included)
- Power Consumption: 7W maximum
Mechanical Specifications
- Dimensions: 358 x 272 x 273 mm
- Weight: 800 g (without mount), 980 g (with mount)
- Wind Survival: 200 km/h (125 mph)
- Operating Temperature: -40 to 70°C
- Wind Loading: 275 N at 200 km/h
The 200 km/h wind rating is relevant for tower installations in exposed Lebanese mountain terrain — Mount Lebanon ridgelines, the Chouf district, and Bekaa Valley sites regularly experience strong winter winds. The lightweight 980 g total weight also means less stress on pole mounts over time.
LiteBeam AC Gen2 vs LBE-M5: Why You Should Upgrade
The older Ubiquiti LiteBeam M5 (LBE-M5-23) remains in circulation across many Lebanese WISP networks, but it is a generation behind. Here is a direct specification comparison:
| Feature | LiteBeam AC Gen2 (LBE-5AC-Gen2) | LiteBeam M5 (LBE-M5-23) |
|---|---|---|
| WiFi Standard | 802.11ac (WiFi 5) | 802.11n (WiFi 4) |
| MIMO | 2x2 | 1x1 (SISO) |
| Max Throughput | 450+ Mbps | 100+ Mbps |
| Antenna Gain | 23 dBi | 23 dBi |
| Ethernet Port | 1x Gigabit (10/100/1000) | 1x Fast Ethernet (10/100) |
| TX Power | 25 dBm | 25 dBm |
| Max Range | 15+ km | 30+ km |
| CPU | Atheros (airMAX ac) | MIPS 74K |
| Management Radio | Dedicated 2.4 GHz | None |
| Power Consumption | 7W | 4W |
| Wind Survival | 200 km/h | 200 km/h |
The throughput gap is decisive: 450+ Mbps versus 100+ Mbps. The LBE-M5 is bottlenecked twice — once by its single-chain 802.11n radio and again by its 10/100 Fast Ethernet port, which physically caps wired throughput at 94 Mbps. Even if your subscriber plan is only 20 Mbps, the AC Gen2 provides better signal quality, lower latency, and more headroom as you scale subscriber plans upward.
The dedicated 2.4 GHz management radio on the Gen2 is another operational advantage. It allows WISP technicians to manage the CPE over a separate radio without interrupting subscriber traffic on the 5 GHz link — useful for remote troubleshooting across Lebanon's geographically spread networks.
LiteBeam AC vs MikroTik Alternatives: SXT SA5 ac and LHG XL 5 ac
Lebanese WISPs sometimes consider MikroTik CPEs as alternatives to the Ubiquiti LiteBeam AC. Two common choices are the MikroTik SXT SA5 ac and the MikroTik LHG XL 5 ac. Each serves a different use case:
| Feature | LiteBeam AC Gen2 | SXT SA5 ac | LHG XL 5 ac |
|---|---|---|---|
| Antenna Gain | 23 dBi | 13 dBi (90° sector) | 27 dBi |
| Beam Width | Narrow (~6°) | 90° | 7° |
| Max Data Rate | 450+ Mbps | 540 Mbps (practical) | 867 Mbps |
| TDMA Protocol | airMAX ac | Nstreme / NV2 | Nstreme / NV2 |
| Best Role | PtMP CPE (to Ubiquiti AP) | Short-range sector AP or CPE | Long-range PtP or CPE |
| CPU | Atheros | 720 MHz, 1 core | IPQ-4018, 4 cores, 716 MHz |
| RouterOS / airOS | airOS (Ubiquiti) | RouterOS L4 | RouterOS L3 |
The MikroTik SXT SA5 ac is not a direct LiteBeam alternative — it is a 90-degree sector device with only 13 dBi gain. It works as a short-range access point or a CPE in close-range scenarios (under 3 km). Its advantage is the full RouterOS operating system, which allows running firewall rules, queues, and VPN tunnels directly on the CPE.
The MikroTik LHG XL 5 ac is the closest competitor. Its 27 dBi grid antenna provides 4 dB more gain than the LiteBeam AC, making it the better choice for links beyond 10 km where every decibel matters. Lebanese WISPs serving subscribers in remote mountain villages above the Bekaa Valley or in North Lebanon often prefer the LHG XL for its extra reach. However, it requires a MikroTik access point on the tower side (NV2 protocol), whereas the LiteBeam AC requires a Ubiquiti AP running airMAX.
The protocol lock-in is the practical deciding factor: if your tower infrastructure runs Ubiquiti Rockets or airFiber APs, your CPE must be Ubiquiti. If your towers run MikroTik BaseBox or OmniTik APs, you need MikroTik CPEs.
Deployment Tips for Lebanese Mountain Terrain
Dish Alignment at Elevation
Lebanon's geography creates challenging alignment scenarios. A subscriber in Beit Mery at 800 m elevation connecting to a tower in Dora at 50 m elevation faces a significant downtilt angle. The LiteBeam AC Gen2's ball-joint mount allows tilt adjustments that flat-panel antennas struggle with. Use the airOS signal strength indicator or the UNMS app to fine-tune alignment — aim for a signal level of -60 dBm or better for reliable 100+ Mbps delivery.
Handling Mediterranean Weather
Lebanon's coastal humidity, winter rain, and salt air affect outdoor equipment. The LiteBeam AC's UV-stabilized plastic housing and sealed connector area resist Mediterranean corrosion. Apply weatherproof tape to the Ethernet connector as an extra precaution, and use shielded outdoor-rated Cat5e or Cat6 cable for the drop run.
Power Considerations
The LiteBeam AC draws only 7W through its included 24V PoE adapter. During Lebanon's frequent power outages, a small 12V battery with a PoE converter keeps the CPE running for hours. For tower-side equipment, consider a PoE router UPS to maintain the entire link during generator switchovers.
Bulk Ordering for WISPs
Lebanese WISPs deploying 50-200 LiteBeam AC units per month benefit from HI-GAIN's bulk pricing. We maintain large inventory specifically for WISP rollouts and can fulfill orders of 100+ units from stock. Contact HI-GAIN for WISP volume pricing.
For a complete guide to building a WISP network in Lebanon — from tower equipment to subscriber CPEs and billing — read our guide to WISP equipment in Lebanon.
Where to Buy the Ubiquiti LiteBeam AC in Lebanon
HI-GAIN stocks the LiteBeam AC Gen2 and the older LBE-M5 at our Dora, Beirut warehouse. We provide:
- Genuine Ubiquiti products with full warranty
- Volume discounts for WISPs and ISPs
- Technical support for alignment, configuration, and network design
- Same-day pickup or delivery across Lebanon
Check real-time LiteBeam AC stock and pricing, browse our full Ubiquiti product catalog in Lebanon, or call us at +961 3 337 666.