TX-E Range & Performance Testing: WiFi HaLow Real Numbers Across Real Distance

One of the most common questions we receive is a simple one: how far does it actually reach, and what can I expect at distance? Rated ranges and theoretical maximums are easy to publish. What is harder to find is honest, methodical testing with actual throughput figures at real-world distances. TX-E devices use WiFi HaLow, a long-range wireless standard built for exactly this kind of environment — and these are the real numbers.

The Setup

The test used three TX-E devices in a configuration that mirrors a typical rural property deployment:

• TX-E Connect - Outdoor was mounted as the base station at 4 metres height, broadcasting a HaLow hotspot across open ground.

• TX-E Connect - Indoor and TX-E Roam were each connected to that hotspot as client devices.

• Both client devices were tested simultaneously at increasing distances from the base station, with upload and download throughput recorded at each interval.

Testing was conducted with clear line of sight between all devices at every distance. This represents close to best-case conditions, and the results should be read with that context in mind. Any obstruction in the signal path — terrain, vegetation, or building materials — will reduce usable distance from what is shown here. The test was limited to 1.5km so we weren't able to test further distances in this instance.

The Results

What These Numbers Mean in Practice

These figures are indicative. To put the throughput numbers in context against everyday tasks:

• A standard WiFi voice call needs around 0.1 Mbps each way.

• Spotify at high quality requires around 0.3 Mbps.

• Web browsing, email, and farm management software run comfortably within 2–3 Mbps.

• A Zoom or Teams video call at standard quality needs around 1.5 Mbps up and down.

• A single HD security camera stream typically requires 2–4 Mbps.

• Netflix at standard definition requires around 1 Mbps.

Even at 1,250 m, Connect - Indoor's figures comfortably support a security camera, a WiFi call, and routine internet use simultaneously. Roam at the same distance handles calls, music streaming, and basic browsing — though it is approaching its limits for sustained high-quality video.

What These Results Tell Us About TX-E at Distance

Connect - Indoor held strong across almost the entire test range. Upload and download remained near their ceiling out to 1 km with only modest degradation, and still delivered close to 3 Mbps symmetrically at 1,500 m. For fixed installations — a shed, a workshop, a granny flat — these are reliable, usable figures at the distances most rural properties actually work across.

Roam performed well out to around 1 km, where download started to drop more noticeably. By 1,500 m the connection became intermittent. Roam is a compact, battery-powered device built for portability — the trade-off for fitting in your pocket is a somewhat shorter effective range at full throughput. For paddock, fence line, and gate use cases, the working range shown here covers the great majority of real-world scenarios.

Both devices maintained upload speeds more consistently than download at distance. As the link is pushed further, asymmetry emerges — upload holds on longer than download. For most rural use cases — IoT sensors sending data, voice calls, accessing farm management software — upload stability is the more important metric, and both devices held it well throughout the test.

The Difference Between Roam and Connect - Indoor

This test illustrates something worth understanding clearly. TX-E Roam and TX-E Connect - Indoor are not the same device used in different locations — they are built for different jobs.

Connect - Indoor is a fixed client. It sits in a shed, workshop, or second dwelling and rebroadcasts the signal as standard 2.4 GHz WiFi for everything around it. Its hardware is optimised for stationary use with consistent signal reception.

Roam goes with you. It fits in a pocket, runs on its own battery, and keeps your phone and other devices connected while you move across the property. The throughput trade-off at long range is the cost of that portability — and for the use cases Roam is built for, the figures here show it remains meaningfully connected at distances most working properties will not regularly push beyond.

A Note on Conditions and Real-World Variability

These results were recorded under close to ideal conditions: clear line of sight between all devices, with TX-E Connect - Outdoor mounted at 4 metres height. Performance on your property will vary depending on terrain, vegetation, building materials, and how high the base station is mounted.

Elevation of Connect - Outdoor has the single biggest effect on usable range. A base station mounted higher gains line of sight over more of the property, which translates directly to better performance at distance for every connected device. The 4 metre mounting height used in this test represents a realistic real-world figure — a roofline, a solid pole, or an elevated structure — but going higher will extend these results further.

For a detailed breakdown of everything that affects range in practice, see our article on what affects WiFi range on a rural property. If you are comparing TX-E against other long-range wireless options, our WiFi HaLow vs point-to-point networking article covers the trade-offs in detail.

The Takeaway

Connect - Indoor delivered reliable, usable throughput across the full 1,500 m test range under good conditions. Roam performed well out to around 1 km — covering the great majority of working property use cases for a portable device. Both devices handled upload better than download at distance, which reflects how most rural connectivity is actually used.

These are real numbers from real hardware, tested at measured distances. We will continue to publish performance data as we expand our testing conditions.

Questions about how TX-E would perform across your specific property layout and distances? Get in touch — we're happy to talk through your setup.