<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nFronthaul pricing tracks the module type and the temperature grade. SR is the cheapest, LR sits in the middle, and CWDM, LWDM, and industrial variants carry a premium for the extra laser and packaging work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Industrial-temperature modules typically cost noticeably more than their commercial counterparts, but on a tower they’re the difference between a stable site and a truck roll in January. BiDi and CWDM modules cost more per unit than a plain LR, yet they can eliminate the need to lay new fiber, which is the single most expensive line item in a rollout. Compare the module price against the cost of fiber construction and the math usually favors the colored optics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Third-party compatible modules cost a fraction of OEM equivalents while meeting the same MSA and IEEE specs, which is why operators and integrators source from vendors like FiberMall. The SFP28 price guide<\/u><\/a> breaks down 2026 pricing by module type and volume tier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>FAQ<\/strong><\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/span>What is 5G fronthaul?<\/strong><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n5G fronthaul is the transport segment between the radio unit (RU) and the distributed unit (DU) in a C-RAN or O-RAN architecture. It carries digitized radio signals over optical fiber and has strict latency, jitter, and synchronization requirements that keep spans within roughly 10 to 20 km.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>What is the difference between CPRI and eCPRI?<\/strong><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nCPRI is the legacy fronthaul protocol that transmits uncompressed baseband signals. eCPRI is its modern successor, running over packet-based Ethernet transport and cutting bandwidth requirements by up to 80%. Both protocols run over 25G SFP28 modules, with eCPRI at 25.78125 Gbps and CPRI Option 10 at 24.33024 Gbps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Which optical module is used for 5G fronthaul?<\/strong><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n25G SFP28 modules are the standard. SR covers short intra-site runs, LR handles remote radios over single-mode fiber, and BiDi or CWDM variants serve fiber-constrained sites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>How far can 5G fronthaul reach?<\/strong><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nFronthaul spans usually stay within 10 to 20 km because of the tight timing budget. Standard SFP28 LR modules reach 10 km, while eLR and ER variants extend to 25 km and 40 km.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>What temperature rating do fronthaul modules need?<\/strong><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nOutdoor fronthaul modules should be industrial-grade, rated -40\u00b0C to +85\u00b0C. Commercial-grade modules rated 0\u00b0C to +70\u00b0C are intended for indoor environments and will fail in unheated outdoor cabinets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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