In the context of MikroTik RouterOS, licenses at different levels determine the capabilities and permitted uses of the device.

Each license level provides a specific set of features and limitations.

Below we explain what the terms “WISP” and “CPE” mean in relation to Level 4 and Level 3 licenses, respectively:

WISP (Wireless Internet Service Provider)

Level 4 License

It means that the device is licensed to be used in typical applications of a wireless internet service provider (WISP).

This includes the ability to serve as an access point, bridge, or router in a small to medium-sized wireless network. Level 4 licensed devices are suitable for WISP operations that require advanced features such as EoIP (Ethernet over IP), PPPoE tunnels, a greater number of active user connections, among other functionalities.

The level 4 license allows the use of RouterOS to connect multiple clients and offer wireless internet services, being a popular option among small and medium-sized internet service providers.

CPE (Customer Premises Equipment)

Level 3 License

It is aimed at devices used as CPE, which stands for “Customer Premises Equipment.” A CPE device is typically placed on the client side of a network connection and is used to terminate the client's ISP connection, such as a point-to-point link to the client's home or office.

Level 3 licensed devices are designed to function as client endpoints in wireless networks, supporting essential functionality for connecting a single client to a network, such as being the endpoint of a point-to-point or point-to-multipoint wireless link.

However, these licenses have limitations on the number of simultaneous user connections and do not support some of the advanced functionality available in higher-level licenses.

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The main difference between Level 4 and Level 3 licenses in RouterOS lies in the purpose and scale of permitted use: Level 4 licenses are suitable for WISP operations that offer services to multiple clients, while Level 3 licenses are suitable for WISP operations that offer services to multiple clients. They are intended for CPE devices used to connect individual clients to the network.