EE UK Launch Wi-Fi 7 Broadband Router and 5G Standalone Plans UPDATE3
Mobile network operator and UK ISP EE (BT) has today officially taken the wrappings off their new next-generation and Qualcomm powered Wi-Fi 7 router (Smart Hub Pro) and booster (Smart WiFi Pro) for home broadband customers. At the same time, they’ve also formally launched their new 5G Standalone mobile network across 15 of the country’s major cities.
We’ll start with the Smart Hub Pro and Smart WiFi Pro. In case anybody has forgotten, Wi-Fi 7 introduces a number of new features, such as using the extra 6GHz channel with 320MHz of channel bandwidth for much broader capacity (Wi-Fi 6E is 160MHz), as well as Multi Link Operation (MLO), which allows data to be sent over multiple bands simultaneously, and 4K QAM, which offers up to 20% increase in peak data transmission performance (plus other enhancements).
Everything Everywhere (EE) had previously pledged to be one of the first UK broadband providers to introduce a Wi-Fi 7 router during 2024 and so it has today come to pass. The new Smart Hub Pro router, which is being complemented by a new Smart WiFi Pro coverage booster, will initially only be made available to customers on “selected” Full Fibre (FTTP) plans (e.g. 1.6Gbps) “in the coming weeks” (i.e. it’s a soft launch).
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However, the new router will also be made available as an add-on to existing plans, although this will almost certainly cost extra (we expect it won’t be a cheap add-on). When used together with the new Smart Hub Pro device, Smart WiFi Pro pledges to give customers a minimum of 100Mbps (wireless) connection in every room, with a money-back guarantee if you don’t get that. EE has also added a promotional video of the new broadband kit:
Going Standalone
The second big announcement today, albeit one that won’t come as a surprise to our readers because we already spotted it (here), is the official launch of EE’s new 5G Standalone (5G SA) mobile broadband network and related plans across fifteen major UK cities (Bath, Belfast, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Hull, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, London, Manchester and Sheffield).
The majority of UK 5G mobile networks today are Non-Standalone (NSA), which means they are still partly reliant on older and slower 4G infrastructure. But SA networks are pure end-to-end 5G that can deliver ultra-low latency times, greater energy efficiency, better upload speeds, network slicing, improved support for Internet of Things (IoT) devices, support for Voice over New Radio (VoNR or Vo5G) and increased reliability and security etc.
However, EE are making some bold claims about their new 5GSA service, such as by stating that it will “offer near uninterrupted outdoor coverage in every city where it launches” and “allow customers to make calls and use data in areas where it wasn’t possible before” – both of which really require further technical elaboration from the operator.
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The operator added that their 5GSA network will harness the “latest in AI technology“, using automation to improve reliability and machine learning to reduce energy demand on the Grid, by putting mobile cells into a sleep mode when not being used.
EE is also exploring ways the new technology will “overhaul how customers experience connectivity” in the future, such as by “improving latency for gaming, protecting spectrum for broadcasting or providing quality of service guarantees for businesses” (i.e. network slicing). But they’ll have to dance around Ofcom’s Net Neutrality Rules a bit for that one.
In addition, a new network feature will help improve performance in busy areas. Exclusive to some new tariffs, Network Boost will “enhance performance to customers when the network is busy, by allocating more capacity to a customer, meaning they always get the best available performance“. We covered more about this and their 5GSA capable plans in the previous article (here).
Both 5GSA and Network Boost are included as part of the new All Rounder and Full Works plans, which are launching today.
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Marc Allera, CEO of EE, said:
“Today, EE is launching UK firsts in network capabilities designed to unleash the huge potential of a wave of AI powered devices.
5G standalone is a new mobile network giving enhanced performance to customers from day one and unlocks game-changing new services of the future. It’s been built to handle the growing range of AI-powered devices, from smartphones to laptops, tablets and more.
Wi-Fi 7 for the home is another first for EE customers, giving households higher speeds and better capacity to support devices in every corner of their home.
Together, these new technologies bring EE customers the best networks in and out of the home.”
In all, customers can now choose from five tiers of unlimited mobile plans, with the option of unlimited data. In addition, Essentials+, All Rounder or Full Works plans allow customers to extend this unlimited data to an existing smart watch for free. EE is also bringing back EU Roaming for these plans, with calls, text and data allowances included at no extra cost. Those on a Full Works plan will receive EE’s Roam Further Pass on top, extending their allowance to Australia, USA, Canada, Mexico and New Zealand.
Finally, following an exclusive partnership with Google (the exclusivity will last for an unspecific period of time), EE is also making Google One AI Premium available as part of EE’s Full Works line up. Google One AI Premium will help customers tackle their most complex projects with AI-powered tools. This joins Apple One, Netflix, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate and TNT Sports as a plan benefit.
Sadly, what today’s announcement doesn’t include are any technical specifications for the new router and WiFi extender devices, but we have put in a request for those details.
UPDATE 1:12pm
The announcement doesn’t mention it, but EE has also introduced a new Smart 5G Hub (router) for customers who take their data-only mobile broadband service. But once again there are no technical details provided, although we assume it adds 5GSA support and possibly also Wi-Fi 7.
The lack of technical details about these new devices is really quite irritating, particularly as they’re being targeted toward more premium users / the gaming crowd. But such users will want to know more about what features these devices have and don’t like vague marketing claims.
UPDATE 1:33pm
We’ve managed to get a rear view of the new Smart Hub Pro router for home broadband customers. You can see it has 4 x LAN Ports, 1 x WAN Port, 1 x Phone Port and 1 x USB port (looks like USB v3). We don’t know the speed of those LAN/WAN ports, but 2.5Gbps seems like a good bet, as 1Gbps would a bit too ‘last decade’ for WiFi 7 kit. Still awaiting the official specs.
UPDATE 1:41pm
Good news, we have some official specs for all three devices. Granted, it’s not super detailed, but this is still useful information.
Smart Hub Pro
Wireless Spec
Wi-Fi 7
802.11be
6Ghz 320Mhz 4×4
5GHz 160Mhz 4×4
2.4GHz 40Mhz 4×4Processor
Qualcomm Bells IPQ9570
Quad Core 2.2GhzMemory
Flash 8GB
RAM 2GBWired Connections
1 x 2.5Gbps WAN (Ethernet)
4 x 2.5Gbps LAN (Ethernet)
Wired ConnectionsNFC
Supported (currently configured for Guest Wi-Fi)Complete (Mesh) Wi-Fi Support
Yes (Smart WiFi Pro)Digital Voice Support
Yes (DECT/FXS)Hybrid Connect Support
YesEE TV Support
YesEE App Support
Yes (setup and operation)On/Off/Dim Light Control
Integrated Password Card
Casing 95% PCR
Dimensions H:230mm W:110mm D:120mm
(Dimensions with stand) H:230mm W: 103mm D:102mm
Smart WiFi Pro
Wireless Spec
Wi-Fi 7
802.11be
6Ghz 320Mhz 4×4
5GHz 160Mhz 4×4
2.4GHz 40Mhz 2×2Processor
Qualcomm Miami IPQ5322 Quad Core 1.5GhzMemory
Flash 4GB
RAM 1GBWired Connections 2 x 2.5Gbps LAN (Ethernet)
Compatibility Smart Hub Pro
EE TV Support Yes
EE App Support Yes (setup and operation)
On/Off/Dim Light Control Yes
Casing 95% PCR
Dimensions H:220mm W:50mm D:170mm
(Dimensions with stand) H:220mm W:58mm D:154mm
Smart 5G Hub
Modem Chipset
MediaTek T380Modem Capability
4G + 5G NSA (5CC+NR), 5G SA
(4CC), 4G Cat 19 (DL) Cat 12 (UL)Wireless Spec
Tri-Band concurrent Wi-Fi 7 –
2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6 GHz bands.
4×4:4 Spatial Streams, Up to
128 devices per bandWi-Fi Mesh
Wi-Fi EasyMesh R4Ports
1 x LAN (1 Gbps), 1 x LAN/WAN
(2.5 Gbps)Other Features
– IP Passthrough Mode
– WPA2/WPA3 Personal
Transition Mode WiFi Security
out of box on 2.4 & 5GHz
– Wi-Fi Compatibility SSID
feature for legacy device (via
WPS button)
– Parental Control
– Bandwidth Control
– MAC Filter, Block Devices
– LAN IP Filter
– SMS InboxDimensions/Weight 112W x 134D x 236H. 1.2kg
Mark is a professional technology writer, IT consultant and computer engineer from Dorset (England), he also founded ISPreview in 1999 and enjoys analysing the latest telecoms and broadband developments. Find me on X (Twitter), Mastodon, Facebook and Linkedin.
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Those figure of 8 sockets look ugly being so far up the device
That’s the Logo
LOL, thats the EE logo!
Masking tape would be the answer !
That’s the logo not a port.
The light inside the logo can be controlled in the app so that it doesn’t glow.
I think the devices would look so much better in BT branding/colours..
Glad to see someone has found a use for the left over automatic hand gel dispensers after COVID
Looked on EE’s website and says “save £7 on national pricing” – does this mean they have local pricing, presumably based on the level of competition?
Yes. Openreach copper and fibre availability, altnet and VM availability all result in a personalised pricing strategy.
Whats the specs of the wifi7 router? How many ports at what speed etc
what devices support EEs standalone network?
IOS 18 beta, has 5G standalone toggle that’s currently enabled so I would say newer iPhones
iOS 18 or 18.1?
Been asked 1p mobile if they plan to bring in EE 5GSA and they said no, it won’t be available via MVNO eg: 1p mobile or other providers. That’s rather disappointed.
probably more accurate to say “not right now”. if EE aren’t giving it to all of their existing customers yet, the MVNOs will be further back in the queue. Especially a “budget” one where customers are less likely to have a 5GSA device.
It’s not even available on all 5GSA devices yet, for example older iPhones don’t yet have the toggle in iOS 18.
I can’t imagine it’ll stay that way for long though. There’s no need to treat it as a premium addon.
They’ll want all MVNOs to be on it soon enough. They can put all of them on the same network slice and reduce priority over EE Pay Monthly and Pay Monthly Bis customers.
Annoyingly, because I am already on their “Full Works” plan, they will not let me switch to this new plan as it’s not considered an “Upgrade”.
The braille next to each port is a nice touch, seems like an obvious enough thing to do that I now wonder why I don’t see it more often.
It’s not really EE inovation, it’s driven by the upcoming European Accessibility Act 2025. I agree that it’s a nice improvement though.
Lots of cheaper 5G devices have the capability to support 5G SA and in other countries like India do already work on a 5G SA and VoNR enabled network, hopefully the MNOs have an open approach to supporting 5G SA on all capable although I sadly doubt they will and will keep it locked to ‘approved devices’
Hopefully this means we’re not too far away from being able to take their 1.6Gbps plan with EE TV.
The spec says it supports EE TV, but until now it’s not been possible to upgrade if you’re taking TV.
My Virgin Media expires on 2nd October, was forced to take the plunge now with EE TV and 900Mbps package as they’ve been dragging their heels with bundling it with 1.6gb broadband.
I really hope it’s not going to be cumbersome to upgrade. And I bet if the 1.6gb/TV package is offered in the next few days I’ll have to cancel my existing order scheduled for 10th September and push back the install.. These things never end up being simple
Oh yippee
Just when you thought 5g would be fast and furious you find out they are gonna charge a premium for it.
4x 2.5gb lan and wifi7
That’s impressive for consumer kit
I’m currently testing the new hub and booster equipment. Gotta say, after using my own WiFi 6 router for so long it’s taken me by surprise by how good it actually is and how easy it was to setup. The one thing that’s made life difficult is some settings are totally locked down – can’t change DNS settings for example, though if you’re techie enough you will know workarounds such as changing the DHCP server to one of your own.
Keeping anonymous due to NDA, but can answer any Qs people might have.
I was surprised by the set up and stability of it, the migration of your devices will be a nice touch for most. Speeds are great too!
@Tester I’m on the 900Mbps package and been unable to upgrade to the 1.6gig package so far. I use wifi enhancer, EE and Netduma have a partnership at the moment for game mode etc. Are you able to do the same on the new EE router?. I play a lot online so I need the geo fencing does the new router have the new Netduma OS4 like thier own new router Netduma R3. I need these features for when I’m able to finally upgrade.
Does the new router suppoer Dynamic DNS with, e.g. NoIP? That’s a critical feature missing from the Smart Hub Plus.
Can I ask are you on 1.6gb connection I was invited but they said it was not compatible and I’m a 1.6gb connection
The EE website states a ‘compatible’ device is required for 5G SA – yet I can see no device list on their website! Has anyone had any luck? Vodafone for example provide a device list, with iPhone currently not supported. An iOS update will likely be required to enable 5G SA on Vodafone, I take it this could be the same for EE?
Vodafone and EE has updated carrier settings on iOS which allows 5G SA.
Only works on iOS 18 betas
It won’t need an iOS update, but a new carrier settings file. Therefore that’s more under the control of the mobile network.
Thanks for the info – I didn’t realise Vodafone were enabling SA on iPhone. I’m currently on Vodafone 58.0 – not sure which carrier version enables SA though!
but so far, EE only seem to have enabled SA on the iPhone 15 (and of course the impending iPhone 16) with the iOS 18 betas. 14 and older have no toggle. I assume it’s a matter of getting the current flagships tested and “approved” first.
I wonder whether the Smarthub Pro will support a ddns service? Ddns is not available on the Smarthub Plus, so mine just sits on a shelf gathering dust. I need ddns to access my security cameras so have had to supply my own router. EE customer service say they have no plans to incorporate ddns into any Smarthub Plus firmware updates.
EE told me it did have plans for a firmware update… Not sure the left hand knows what the right hand is doing!
They need this desperately given their 1.6 Gbps launch.
Not so much for me (though only on EE 900/110) as I can’t deal with the lack of control & prefer opnsense instead.
On 5G SA/network boost. It feels uncomfortable, but they’ve been doing 10/100/unlim for a while. Speed cap is clearer, but ‘boost’ harder to gauge. Is that on 4G? 5G? only 5G SA? Will it become like economy easy boarding where > 50% of people have it thus pretty much destroying any value (but getting income up!)
I guess the only saving is that since I’m on EE BB & mobile I can just switch my plan for a month to try out … (another con really since the £20 off is against non-discounted plans, and you can get close to the same regardless if you jump at the right time!)
The 4×4 support is impressive on 5 Ghz/6 Ghz(though there’s a discrepancy in the article for 2.4 Ghz). Even the entry wifi 7 APs like Ubiquity pro don’t have that.
So eero finally has competition, it is good these are all 2.5g now. Probably is costing BT a fair chunk of change to buy in the units as the router industry is treating 2.5g like platinum in terms of pricing.
Because of this the commercial router market is now falling behind what ISPs are supplying. Its flipped from where things were many years ago. Not just on ethernet but also isp’s like EE are sticking to cutting edge on wifi.
ISP routers are now becoming good enough that most people don’t need to buy their own kit anymore.
For me, the main reasons to continue using my own kit is that I can buy or run what has the features I want, like the DDNS support that several people have already mentioned, and mesh networking — without having to pay a monthly rental for the hardware.
With current pricing, you practically have to run whatever you buy for at least 5 years before you break even with the monthly rental pricing from the ISPs.
Also if you’re taking a voice service it is tied to the ISP router.
I’m surprised people care so much about the DDNS feature. I never used it on the older BT routers because the list of supported services is so limited. I just run a DDNS updater on the same PC that hosts the services I’m trying to access.
It’s annoying that there isn’t a “standard” for DDNS updates, as that would probably make the addition of the feature more justified
Compatible devices list?
Called EE and the customer guides have not been briefed yet on the new router and were unable to provide me with any details. So very much a soft launch with no actually backing on the ground to be able to take customer orders.
Thank you for your message but I was asking about 5G standalone compatible devices since the EE website doesn’t provide a list.