UK ISP BT Makes Home Hub 4 Broadband Router Available to Everybody

In a curious twist BT has decided to make its Home Hub 4 broadband ISP routers available to non-customers, which means that it can be used with any Internet provider just like a router brought in the shops. But is it worth the £99.99 inc. VAT asking price?

The router, which will initially be made available through Currys or online via BT’s Shop (plus Argos at the end of January 2014 and from other retailers later in 2014), was launched earlier this year (here). Its feature highlights include two Gigabit Ethernet LAN/WAN ports (plus 3 x 100Mbps ports) and 802.11n Smart Wireless WiFi technology (2.4GHz and 5GHz – 300Mbps max).

Erik Raphael, Devices Director for BT Consumer, said:

“We’re really pleased to be able to make the Home Hub 4 more widely available. Now everyone can use the cutting edge technology and sleek design that previously was only available to BT broadband customers, to give them a better broadband experience. The Home Hub 4’s innovative smart dual-band technology avoids interference for an ultra-reliable connection.”

It’s not a bad router but £100 is also the point at which you tend to expect premium features, such as full Gigabit Ethernet ports rather than just two. Similarly some routers, such as the Technicolor (Thomson) TG589vn v3, come with built-in ADSL2+ and VDSL (FTTC) modems for £60 but BT’s HH4 only has ADSL2+ (at present only their Home Hub 5 includes integrated VDSL).

We can also think of other pure ADSL2+ routers that do more for £100 than the HH4 and it’s also very close to the price point of some 802.11ac WiFi supporting kit.