EE UK Bring WiFi 7 to All Broadband Plans, Launch New Router and Trial 8.5Gbps

Mobile operator and broadband ISP EE (BT) has today announced a major refresh of their UK full fibre (FTTP) packages, which makes WiFi 7 “standard across all of its … plans” – supported by the launch of their new slimmed down Smart Hub 7 Plus router and WiFi Extender 7 Plus mesh kit. The provider has also confirmed plans to trial download speeds of up to 8.5Gbps.

The new Smart Hub 7 Plus router adopts similar but slimmer styling to the Smart Hub Pro, which launched just over a year ago for EE’s top 1.6Gbps package (here) – both support the latest Wi-Fi 7 standard. But the new router isn’t quite as capable as the Smart Hub Pro (e.g. dual band vs tri-band WiFi) and is largely intended to replace the WiFi 6 capable Smart Hub Plus that currently ships alongside EE’s 900Mbps and slower FTTP plans.

The change means that EE has become the “first major provider in the UK” to offer cutting-edge WiFi 7 (wireless network) connectivity as standard across all of its Full Fibre plans (although some smaller ISPs have already done this).

Clarifying the New Hardware Selection

➤ For plans up to 1Gbps: Customers receive the Smart Hub 7 Plus (dual band, capable of up to 1Gbps) and the optional Wi-Fi Extender 7 Plus. The Smart Hub 7 Plus offers customers up to 30% faster Wi-Fi throughput compared to the previous Smart Hub 6 Plus, supporting more devices and reduced latency for streaming and gaming.

➤ For 1.6Gbps plans: Customers receive the upgraded Smart Hub 7 Pro (tri-band technology, supporting consistent speeds over 1Gbps) and the Wi-Fi Extender 7 Pro, ensuring optimal performance across the home.

Headline Features

• Wi-Fi Intelligence: WiFi Intelligence uses real-time network insight to give customers the best possible WiFi coverage and connection quality throughout their home. It works in the background, making automatic improvements like ensuring they’re on the best smart hub or extender channel frequency  – without them having to do anything
• EE Wi-Fi Controls: A set of features within the My EE app that allow customers to manage their home network’s internet access for parental controls and device management
• Wi-Fi Optimiser (Included in certain plans): Enhances performance based on how the connection is being used (e.g., gaming, working from home, TV streaming), helping to eliminate lag and buffering during critical moments

As well as security and backup with:

• Advanced Web Protect: Built-in AI capability that automatically blocks untrustworthy and malicious websites on the network
• Keep Connected Promise (Included in certain plans): If a fault is reported, EE will send a 4G Mini Hub to reconnect the customer to EE’s mobile network, minimising downtime
• Cyber Security powered by Norton (Included in certain plans): Gives an advanced level of in and out-of-home protection through social media monitoring, dark web monitoring, and password management for up to 15 devices
• Connectivity Back-up (Optional Add-on): Switches the household onto EE’s mobile network automatically if a fault is detected, ensuring near-zero disruption

From today, customers taking out one of EE’s refreshed Full Fibre home broadband packages will now be given the choice of a range of download speeds ranging from £28.99 per month on 74Mbps and up to £39.99 on 900Mbps on a 24-month contract length. Customers can then have the option to choose from the following extra features at extra cost.

Standard Plans

Includes all of the ‘Core’ features, but also adds the Keep Connected Promise, Norton Cyber Security and Wi-Fi Optimiser. All of this costs an extra £4 per month.

Premium Plans

Everything from Core and Standard, but adds the Wi-Fi Extender 7 Plus. All of this costs an extra £11 per month.

Ultimate Plans

Everything from Core, Standard and Premium, but adds the top end Smart Hub 7 Pro router, Wi-Fi Extender 7 Pro and the EE Guides Home Visit: “Access to free home visits from broadband specialists to ensure you’re perfectly set up plus an annual health check for an optimised connection”. All of this costs an extra £20 per month.

Take note that EE’s top 1.6Gbps speed full fibre broadband plans are available with either a Premium package (£66.99), which comes with both the Smart Hub 7 Pro and WiFi Extender 7 Pro, or Ultimate package (£75.99). However, customers who don’t want to take a specific package can always add features individually, although this often costs more (all add-ons are 30-day rolling [unless specified] to give customers greater flexibility).

➤ Cyber Security – £6pm
➤ WiFi Optimiser – £5pm
➤ WiFi Extender 7 Plus – £10pm
➤ Smart Hub 7 Pro and WiFi Extender 7 Pro bundle – £15pm (24m contract)
➤ Connectivity Backup – £10pm

Finally, customers who take out EE home broadband can also get exclusive mobile benefits with EE One (i.e. bundling broadband and mobile), including savings on the mobile plan rental (worth up to £480 over two years) and a data boost on existing eligible mobile.

Luciano Oliveira, Director of Product, Home and TV at EE, said:

“EE is the first major provider in the UK to offer WiFi 7 smart hub technology as standard across all Full Fibre plans. By pairing best-in-class hardware with advanced features like WiFi Intelligence and AI-enabled security, our customers get the most reliable, high-performance connection in every room of their home – whether streaming, working, gaming, or staying connected with family – and that’s why more people are choosing EE.”

Separately, EE has also become the first ISP on Openreach’s national network to officially confirm that they will be taking part in the operator’s full fibre trials (here and here), which will test download and symmetric broadband speeds of up to 8.5Gbps over the new XGS-PON network.

The trial is due to get underway during March 2026 and Openreach has already confirmed that it will initially start with about 40,000 premises in Guildford, although this may well be extended. EE’s own retail prices and availability for the pilot will be released “nearer” the launch. “The pilot will help shape future Full Fibre broadband services for customers with options evaluated for wider deployment across the UK,” said a spokesperson for EE.

In terms of the new router and extender specifications, we’ve managed to pry a few of those from EE’s hands. You can see them below the following image, which shows the backside view of both devices.

SMART HUB 7 PLUS Specification

WiFi Spec

Wi-Fi 7
802.11be
2.4Ghz 2×2
5Ghz 4×4

Processor

Broadcom BCM6766
Quad-Core 2Ghz

Memory

Flash 8GB
RAM 2GB

Wired Connections

1x 2.5Gbps WAN (Ethernet)
1x 2.5Gbps LAN (Ethernet)
3x 1Gbps LAN (Ethernet)

Broadband Technology

FTTP Only

WiFi Extender (Mesh) Support

Yes (WiFi Extender 7 Plus)

Digital Voice Support

Yes (DECT/FXS)

Connectivity Backup Support

Yes

EE TV Support

Yes

EE App Support

Yes (setup and operation)

On/Off/Dim Light Control

Yes

Integrated Password Card

Yes

Casing

95% PCR

Dimensions

H:252mm W:33mm D:165mm

As for the new WiFi Extender…

WIFI EXTENDER 7 PLUS Specification

Wi-Fi Spec

Wi-Fi 7
802.11be
2.4Ghz 2×2
5Ghz 4×4

Processor

roadcom BCM6766
Quad-Core 2GHz

Memory

Flash 8GB
RAM 1GB

Wired Connections

1x 2.5Gbps LAN (Ethernet)

Compatibility

Smart Hub 7 Plus

EE TV Support

Yes

EE App Support

Yes (setup and operation)

On/Off/Dim Light Control

Yes

Casing

95% PCR

Dimensions

H:155mm W:28mm D:155mm