UK ISP EE Launch New BrightBox 2 Router Alongside its Fibre Broadband

New customers who order one of EE’s top 76Mbps capable fixed line superfast ‘Home Fibre Broadband’ (FTTC) packages, which are currently being offered at half price, will from today also benefit from receiving the latest Bright Box 2 wireless router with an integrated VDSL2 modem and Gigabit capable wifi (802.11ac) support.

The new kit, which could potentially be one of the markets most sophisticated ISP bundled routers (i.e. compared with the other big ISPs), was first announced at the start of July 2013 (here) and ISPreview.co.uk later obtained a full specification for the device (here).

The router is particularly notable for its inclusion of a VDSL2 modem, which is normally too expensive for other “free” / bundled routers to add, and support for very latest 802.11ac wifi (2.4GHz and 5GHz) technology that hasn’t even been finalised yet. The only real negative is that it has just one Gigabit LAN (Ethernet) port and three standard ports for wired networks. A question mark also exists over its IPv6 capabilities.

However, compared to the competition, EE appears to have quietly stolen a march, at least in terms of router sophistication, over most or possibly all of their main rivals. So it’s perhaps no surprise that the kit, which has an RRP of around £175, isn’t being included for free alongside all of their packages. In fact only new or upgrading customers to their top 76Mbps fibre broadband options will get it included.. for now.

Fibre Broadband 76mbps – Unlimited Usage

* Included Weekend calls to UK landlines
* Online Exclusive £25 M&S Voucher
* Half Price Installation (reduced to a one-off £25)

PRICE: £12.50 for the first 3 months (£25 thereafter)

* Included Anytime+ calls to UK landlines and mobiles
* Online Exclusive £25 M&S Voucher
* Half Price Installation (reduced to a one-off £25)

PRICE: £14.50 for the first 3 months (£29 thereafter)

As usual the above price include a £5 (monthly) discount for existing Orange, T-Mobile and EE mobile customers and an 18 month contract applies. On top of that you’d also have to take their Phone Line Rental from £14.75 per month or £11 a month if you pay 12 months upfront. Customers also get 12 months of McAfee internet security, access to the online EE Film streaming service and of course 2 for 1 cinema tickets every Wednesday.