Ericsson Cradlepoint W1855

The Ericsson Cradlepoint W1855-5GC is the outdoor version of the W1850: the same Release 16 5G modem in an IP67 aluminum housing rated for -30 to 70 C, 135 mph wind, salt mist, and ITU-T K.21 lightning protection. Mount it on the roof or an exterior wall where mid-band 5G is strongest, run one PoE+ cable inside, and hand a 2 Gbps cellular WAN to the router or firewall you already have.

Putting the modem at the antenna is the single biggest signal improvement available on a 5G site, which is why RCN's site assessments so often end with a W1855 instead of an indoor unit and a long coax run. The PoE+ injector and four N-type antennas ship in the box.

What the SKU includes: every option on this page bundles the adapter with its Ericsson NetCloud plan for the term you choose (Branch 5G Adapter Essentials, or Essentials + Advanced, for 1, 3, or 5 years). NetCloud is required to configure and manage Cradlepoint hardware, and the hardware warranty runs for as long as the plan is active.

Specifications

Ericsson Cradlepoint W1855 series datasheet

Right for you if

• Indoor signal is marginal and the roof or an exterior wall has line of sight to the tower
• You want 5G behind an existing firewall or SD-WAN edge rather than a new router
• The site sees real weather: cold, heat, salt air, or lightning
• One PoE cable is the only penetration you want to make

W1855 vs. W1850 vs. W-series pre-owned

Choose the W1855 whenever the modem can go outside; it almost always outperforms an indoor unit. The W1850 is the indoor equivalent for network closets with good signal. Pre-owned W1855-5GC and W1855-5GB units are also available at a lower price.

Common deployments

Rooftop 5G for government and enterprise buildings, fiber failover where indoor signal fails, water and utility sites, remote facilities, and POTS-replacement gateways at metal-clad buildings.

What RCN adds

• Pre-provisioning: RCN can stage the unit in your NetCloud account so it ships ready to power on
• Installation nationwide through RCN's in-house install team (quoted separately)
• U.S.-based 24/7 NOC monitoring and support as a managed service (quoted separately)
• Purchase on GSA Schedule, NASPO ValuePoint, Sourcewell, OMNIA Partners, or Equalis Group, or on a PO for approved accounts

FAQ

Who installs it?
RCN's in-house install team mounts the W1855, runs and terminates the PoE+ cable, grounds the unit, and verifies signal on each carrier. Installation is quoted with the hardware.

How far can the Ethernet run be?
Standard PoE distance: up to 100 m (328 ft) of Cat 5e or better from the injector to the adapter. RCN plans the route during the site assessment.

Is the NetCloud subscription included?
Yes. Each SKU pairs the W1855-5GC with the NetCloud plan and term shown in the option name. Renewals are quoted before the term ends so the device never drops off management.

Does it come with antennas and a power supply?
Yes. The W1855 ships with four external 600 MHz to 6 GHz cellular antennas that attach to its N-type connectors, plus a PoE+ injector (56 VDC). The adapter is powered over the Ethernet cable, so no separate power supply is needed at the mounting location.

Can we purchase on a purchase order or government contract?
Yes. RCN sells through GSA Schedule and cooperative contracts including NASPO ValuePoint, Sourcewell, OMNIA Partners, and Equalis Group, and can invoice approved accounts on a PO.

What if it turns out to be the wrong model?
Talk to RCN before you order. We deploy this hardware every week and will tell you if a smaller or larger unit fits better; the comparison section above is a good start.