What Kind of Equipment Does a PTMP Wireless Network Need?
At a minimum, you are going to need to install a base station and at least one antenna. Most base stations today operate more than one antenna, though — typically, at least two or three — in order to provide better coverage and higher performance.
Using more antennas enables a better channelling of power in each direction, and more antennas can be used to transmit and receive data at the same time, from multiple devices (a mode of operation known as MIMO — Multiple Input, Multiple Output).
The antennae are usually grouped in a single array for easier installation, and the array is usually installed on a rooftop or a pole. The base station, or at least its RF unit, is mounted in close proximity to the antenna array for technical reasons.
Some subscriber units have an integrated radio module, which they can use to connect directly to the PTMP networks. More often than not, though, several endpoint devices will connect, via a wired or a short-range wireless link, to a separate radio module, with one or more antennae.
The base station and the radio modules deployed in the field need their own power sources. Nodes that need relatively infrequent communication can be battery-powered, but the base station needs a good mains (sometimes three-phase) connection.
It is usually a good idea to have some degree of redundancy and a battery- or generator-backed UPS at the base station end, as the base station is a single point of failure for the PTMP network. If the base station goes down, no two nodes will be able to reach each other.
When using the PTMP network as a leased-line replacement, you will also need a way to connect each office network to the multipoint wireless network. Technically, this would be done via a modem, but since this is a frequent deployment scenario, many equipment manufacturers offer PTMP base stations with integrated modems that you can easily integrate into your network.

Advantages and Disadvantages
The performance of point-to-multipoint wireless networks is sufficient for virtually every circumstance where short-, medium- or long-distance deployment is needed. However, it is still below the performance that you can get from a wired network, at a higher upfront cost, and more often than not at higher long-term cost as well.
Depending on the number of endpoints that you need to connect, on their type and capabilities, PTMP links may be a better option than connectivity via VPN or leased lines, especially in busy urban areas like London, where leased lines are expensive.
However, before committing to the significant investment that a long-distance wireless network entails, you should carefully analyse your requirements and your equipment’s capabilities.
The aggregated performance of point-to-multipoint networks is comparable to the performance of point-to-point networks. The two even rely on similar technology. The difference between them is in terms of network structure, in that point-to-point links are meant to connect only two endpoints.
Conclusions
Point-to-multipoint wireless networks are an increasingly common option for businesses that need to provide reliable, high-speed connectivity to multiple endpoints scattered over a wide area.
Although reliable and cost-efficient in the long run, point-to-multipoint wireless networks tend to have high upfront costs and require significant expertise for installation and configuration.
Not sure if a point-to-multipoint wireless solution is the right call for your business? We are here to help! Before making such a big investment, let our experts make sure that you will use it to the fullest. Get in touch with us and let’s schedule your FREE, no-obligations on-site survey! Our team will prepare a detailed report including our findings and recommendations so you can make an informed decision.
Related topics: How to set up WIFI in Office Point-to-point WIFI Ensuring Resilient Telecommunications