Ubiquiti PBE-5AC-500 PowerBeam AC: Your Go-To for Long-Distance Wireless in Kenya

Kenya’s getting serious about internet access! By 2025, the goal is to have 90% of the country online. That also means there’s a huge need, like a 70% jump, for really reliable, super-long-distance connections to support all that data (according to the Kenya ICT Board). To make that happen, we need some serious tech that can cover big distances but still give consistent fiber-like speeds.

That’s where the Ubiquiti Networks PBE-5AC-500 PowerBeam AC comes in. You can grab one from Phonex Technologies for around KES 20,000. This thing is designed for the job. Think of it as a super-powered wireless link. It uses a 500mm dish to send signals over 25+ km at speeds of 450+ Mbps.

Basically, in the Ubiquiti PowerBeam AC family, the PBE-5AC-500 is the king of long-range, all-in-one point-to-point (PTP) connections. It’s perfect for linking up distant cell towers for Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs), connecting mining operations in remote areas, or even getting internet to oil rigs out at sea, so think Mombasa to Lamu, Nairobi to Nanyuki, or islands in Lake Victoria.

People are definitely taking note. Searches for Ubiquiti PBE-5AC-500 Kenya and 27dBi bridge price Nairobi have shot up by about 85% compared to last year (based on 2025 Google Trends). So, let’s break down what makes this gadget so precise in giving you that high signal strength

What’s So Special About the PBE-5AC-500?

This thing is all about reach and reliability. The PBE-5AC-500 is a 5GHz airMAX AC bridge which basically means it sends data wirelessly using the latest tech. It has a dish built right in (that’s the 500mm part) so you don’t have to mess around with separate pieces.

Here’s the breakdown of what it can do.

•  Wireless Goodness: It uses airMAX AC (802.11ac) tech, which is like having a super-fast lane for wireless data. You can get speeds of 450+ Mbps. It also uses something called airMAX TDMA (more on that later) and it’s ready to work with Ubiquiti’s UISP platform for easy control.
•  Antenna Power: The dish itself is a 27 dBi directional antenna. It focuses the signal in a narrow 9° beam, meaning it can send data really far. It also cuts down on interference from other signals with its >35 dB front-to-back ratio.
•  Transmission: It can transmit at 25 dBm (that’s 316 mW), using 80 MHz channels for extra bandwidth. It can check for interference using airView spectrum and it even has a separate WiFi radio just for managing the device.
•  Brains: It has a MIPS 74Kc, 720 MHz processor and 128 MB of DDR2 memory so it can actually run diagnostics in real time.
•  Connections: It has a single Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) port with Passive PoE (24V) for power. It uses the airMAX AC protocol, and you can set it up for point-to-point (PTP) or point-to-multipoint (PTMP) setups.
•  Power Sipping: It only needs 24V, 0.5A PoE (which comes included), and it maxes out at 8.5W, so you could even run it on solar power.
•  Built to Last: The 500 mm dish weighs 4.8 kg and it is IPX5 weatherproof, meaning it can handle rain and splashes. It is rated for -40°C to 70°C. Also, the InnerFeed Integration keeps everything neat and tidy.
•  Extra Features: It has protection against electrical discharge and EMP, plus you can manage it with the UISP mobile app. It has a quick-mount system and LED lights to show you the signal strength.

Where Does Ubiquiti PBE-5AC-500 Fit in the Ubiquiti airMAX Family?

The PBE-5AC-500 is the top dog when it comes to integrated PowerBeam AC devices, thanks to its high signal gain. It’s better than the PBE-5AC-Gen2 (which has 25 dBi and a 420mm dish) because it gives you 2 dB more signal strength and about 30% more range. It’s almost as good as using a R5AC-LITE radio with a RD-5G34 dish (which gives you 34 dBi), but it’s much easier to set up because it is all in one piece. Compared with the LBE-5AC-Gen2 (23 dBi), it will give you 60% better signal.

What’s Good? Pros of Ubiquiti PBE-5AC-500

•    Strong 27 dBi signal strength
•    450+ Mbps speeds
•    25+ km range
•    Big 500mm dish
•    Ready for UISP management

What’s Not Great? Cons of Ubiquiti PBE-5AC-500

•    It’s big, so you need a solid place to mount it.
•    It’s directional, so you have to aim it carefully.
•    It uses 24V PoE, so you might need a special power adapter.

What Can You Do With the PBE-5AC-500 in Kenya?

That combination of power and dish size means the PBE-5AC-500 gives you a signal that’s about 80% stronger than units with smaller 25 dBi antennas. That translates to reliable speeds of 200-400 Mbps over distances of 25+ km, even in tough conditions. Here’s where it shines:

1.  Super-Long-Distance WISP Connections: Connect those cell towers that are way out there (like 25-30 km apart, think Lamu to the mainland). Two PBE-5AC-500s can give you 350+ Mbps. For example, one WISP on the coast used this to create a 28 km link with zero dropped packets, which is quite amazing.
2.  Getting Internet to Islands and Offshore Platforms: Perfect for linking Mombasa to offshore rigs or connecting islands in Lake Victoria, it is designed to handle the moisture and salt.
3.  Mining and Oil Field Communications: Sites in remote northern Kenya use it to send data from sensors and live video feeds over 30 km.
4.  Emergency Backup: Emergency services can quickly set up a 25+ km wireless link in areas where floods are common.

The Good Points : Again, that 27 dBi gain, 450+ Mbps speed, 25+ km range, 500mm dish, and UISP compatibility are all big wins.

The Drawbacks : It’s large, so you need some tower space. Also, 5 GHz signals need a clear path, so trees or buildings can get in the way. There are other options out there, like the MikroTik LHGG-5acD (around KES 18,000), but it doesn’t work with airMAX TDMA or the UISP app.

How Does Ubiquiti PBE-5AC-500 Kenya  Stack Up Against the Competition?

The main comparisons are with Ubiquiti’s own PBE-5AC-Gen2 (the smaller version) and a setup using the R5AC-LITE radio with a RD-5G30 dish which is a modular.

So, When Should You Use the PBE-5AC-500?

Go for the PBE-5AC-500 when you need maximum range in a simple package. The PBE-5AC-Gen2 is a bit lighter if weight is a concern, while the R5AC-LITE + RD-5G30 gives you even more signal strength. Keep in mind that other brands, like Cambium ePMP Force 300 (around KES 22,000), might not work with Ubiquiti’s UISP platform.

How Do You Install and Configure Ubiquiti PBE-5AC-500 Kenya ?

The PBE-5AC-500 is designed to be as easy as possible to set up.

1.    Gear Up: You’ll need shielded Cat6 cable, the included 24V PoE injector, and the UISP app on your phone for aiming.
2.    Get It Mounted: Attach the 500mm dish to a pole that’s at least 50 mm in diameter. Use the LED lights to help you point it in the right direction.
3.    Power It Up: Plug in the 24V PoE adapter. It only uses 8.5W, so it’s solar-friendly (solar setups cost around KES 10,000).
4.    Get It Talking: Use the UISP app to find the device, set it to airMAX AC mode, choose an 80 MHz channel, and set it to PTP mode.
5.    Local Tips: If you are setting this up in Mombasa, get some anti-corrosion spray (around KES 1,500). If it is windy, use guy wires to stabilize the dish. Use airMagic software to help you plan the best path for the signal.

Phonex offers installation services in Nairobi and Mombasa for around KES 10,000, or KES 20,000 if you need them to climb the tower. They also offer an alignment service for KES 8,000.

Why Buy From Phonex Technologies?

Phonex gives you a good deal on the PBE-5AC-500 in Kenya:

•    Price: KES 20,000
•    Shipping: Free in Nairobi, and they deliver to Mombasa and Kisumu in 48 hours.
•    Warranty: 1-year
•    Support: 24/7
•    Deals: You can get two PBE-5AC-500s for KES 39,000.

You can also see a demo at their showroom in Nairobi and they can go to your site, if you needed.

The Bottom Line. The Ubiquiti Networks PBE-5AC-500 PowerBeam AC is a great choice for anyone who needs a long-range wireless link in Kenya. It’s powerful, reliable, and relatively easy to set up. Get yours from Phonex Technologies for KES 20,000 and get free delivery in Nairobi. Call +254 700 000 000.

Frequiently Asked Questions.

1.    How much does the PBE-5AC-500 cost in Kenya? KES 20,000.
2.    Is it good for links over 25 km? For sure. Its 27 dBi antenna and 450+ Mbps speed means you can cover 25+km.
3.    Does it support airMAX AC? Yes, and it works with the UISP platform.
4.    Can Phonex install it in Nairobi? Yes, for KES 10,000.
5.    What are some alternatives? The PBE-5AC-Gen2 is lighter, and the R5AC-LITE + RD-5G34 is modular, but gives you the most signal.