ISP EE UK Set to Expand Availability of 2.3Gbps and 8Gbps Broadband Pilot
Credible sources have informed ISPreview that mobile and internet provider EE (BT) is set to expand the availability of their FTTP-based “Advanced Full Fibre” 2.3Gbps (2,500Mbps) and 8Gbps (8,500Mbps) home broadband pilot on 31st July 2026, which will make it more accessible to the ISP’s existing customer base.
In case anybody has forgotten. EE began inviting existing customers to help trial Openreach’s new XGS-PON powered Fibre-to-the-Premises technology earlier this year (here and here), which is capable of delivering internet download speeds of up to 8.5Gbps (850Mbps upload for consumer tiers – symmetric will be possible for premium business users). The first customers then went live at the end of March 2026 (here).
The pilot has been primarily taking place across Guildford and neighbouring Woking – available across around 40,000 premises, although this also catches some nearby locations like Brookwood, Puttenham, Clandon, Shere and Worplesdon. Since then the pilot has closed to new applications (EE Trial Invite Page), but it’s about to go through another change.
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The initial trial (or pilot, if you prefer) was run more on an application basis only, where you had to sign a special form to apply and selection was down to EE’s discretion. But according to our sources, from 31st July, EE intends to open this up through more traditional means, such as by giving customers the ability to purchase it online like any other customer would, including via retail stores or over the phone.
In short, the two trial products – 2.3Gbps and 8Gbps – will effectively become accessible to everyone connected to the pilot exchange, much like a normal broadband package. The move both appears to demonstrate that the initial trial has been deemed a success and shows that they’re getting closer to a full national launch.
However, before the national launch, it’s important to test the network and order process against a larger base of users. We’re similarly expecting EE to launch a dedicated web page for this on 31st, which is tentatively expected to be found here: https://ee.co.uk/broadband/advanced-full-fibre (not yet live).
Any EE customer taking part will of course require another engineer visit to install one of the operator’s latest 10Gbps capable Optical Network Terminals (ONT). Customers on the 2.3Gbps tier will also receive EE’s existing Smart Hub 7 Pro router, although those opting for the top 8Gbps package will continue to receive a temporary router – currently from TP Link. The final Smart Hub product for 8Gbps customers is currently, we’re told, still a few months away from being ready for launch – EE won’t want to do a proper commercial launch until that’s ready.
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Take note that Openreach’s network trial has also been available to other ISPs since 23rd March 2026 (details), but EE is still the only ISP known to be involved. Part of that may stem from the difficulty that ISPs will have in adapting for the capacity demands of such products, which isn’t helped by the fact that Openreach aren’t currently expected to trial their new 100Gbps Cablelink solution until 2027 (here).
No doubt BT Wholesale will also continue to drag their feet, just as they have done with the existing 1.8Gbps tier (still not available), which will impact ISPs that use that platform. EE does work with BTW too, but they have a unique approach that avoids BTW’s limitations. At present, we won’t know how long it will be before Openreach can launch their faster FTTP tiers commercially, although that didn’t stop EE going early with beta products before (e.g. 1.6Gbps).
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, BlueSky, Threads.net and Linkedin.
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I thought the trial had symmetric speed options?
Either way good news. Now we just need to get a better picture of which LLU operators are actively doing something to remove the need for BTW to exist.
I thought so too, including a symmetrical 1gbps, which is all I’m really interested in at the moment
Why? Having spent years struggling to get a usable internet connection due to 5km distance from exchange with no street cabinet and no real mobile coverage, I’m now blessed with OR FTTH and an altnet symmetrical FTTH option. Granted, our household is just 2 people but our current 600 (albeit symmetrical) broadband is total overkill for our needs. It’s a serious question, what are people really using 8Gbps for? Sure, I can understand business use cases, but which households need more than Gigabit? In terms of future proofing, is there some future use case I’m missing?
And then there is what clients can actually access those speeds? Most households won’t have suitable internal network infrastructure.
Why does this bother you so much?
People buy cars that can do 150mph but the speed limit is only 70mph.
So you get annoyed about that too?
I agree with you up to a point but price does come into the equation.
I have just signed up to a 1.6Mbps service with EE which is a third cheaper per month than my old 500Mbps service. In addition they offered £100 Cashback back and a £185 Reward card. It is a competitive World out there.
XGS-PON, whilst giving access to higher top speeds, also just adds more capacity to the network, and delivers it using less energy.
So it means more capacity – there are instances where OR’s FTTP network has maxed out in some areas and not accepting new orders, and a lower cost per customer served.
And if you really want to, you can go faster, pay more for the privilege, and OR gets to make a little extra money to support further network investment
Mark, you think people in London can order it?
Cue the inevitable comments “no one needs X Gb”.
Shame its not symmetric, hut hey-ho.
And in the meantime I’m struck on 50mbps, excellent!!
Never understand why BTW still limit at 1Gbps for many ISPs. Probably the reason – BT know you don’t need more than 1Gbps for all residentials at present time.
Come on open reach! I want 2gb up and down, I’d accept 1gb up and down though!
115mb upload is tragic trying to sync things these days it’s painful but it’s my only option here as cityfibre stopped short of the bridge by me and left me in “phase 2” which was mapped out likeover 6 years ago now with a delivery date for 2025 haha, it’s not been updated since sadly.
So sad but one day I hope for symertric line that is not some 10* the cost just to tick a box that is unaffordable.
Meh, anything more than 1GB doesn’t benefit my home much more, but what does is faster uploads to cloud storage.
And with so many other ISPs offering symmetrical speeds, I’m staying well away from Open reach for this 1 reason.
Meanwhile here’s me on EE, supposedly on a 67Mbps plan with a 40Mbps speed “guarantee” getting around 24Mbps and as low last week as 10Mbps, with an “Upgrade” offer of a 40Mbps plan with a 20Mbps speed guarantee from next month, for £2 more than I’m paying now.
I really didn’t want to go back to Virgin, but when I can get over 1130Mbps for about 25% less than EE are charging me for 30Mbps there’s just no sense in staying.
ye we need faster upload. Just how much might these fast speeds cost the consumer?
I really hope BTW actually roll this product out quickly, I’d rather not have to deal with EE. I have a great relationship with my current ISP.
More likely BTw will roll out 1.2Gbps and 1.6Gbps but upload remain the same unchanged but I think it won’t happen until next year. BTw won’t do 2.3Gbps and 8Gbps for a long while (only EE)
So will this be only available across certain exchanges or will most of the larger ones
Currently on Truro exchange
This has already been answered in the article – “will effectively become accessible to everyone connected to the pilot exchange”.
So basically, you need to be connected to the exchange that currently hosts the trial to be eligible to order.
Thank you. Maybe I didn’t treat you quite as good as I should have. Maybe I didn’t love you. What is often? Little things that you’ve said and done I just never forget. You were always oh my mother. You were always maybe I didn’t hold you hole. And I guess I never told you.
Symmetric only for business customers? I give up with Openreach. I’m switching to a CityFibre package when my contract with EE is over
Is there any released info of when the exchanges are looking to be upgraded?
The only way OR can compete is making it 1:1 surely, or a small add on fee – I honestly don’t mind paying virgin £6 for it, not everyone needs the speeds, but a lot of altnets offer it included, would OR struggle to much?
Is the only reason Virgin charge for it because people may moan my 1gig package is 1000/1000 while theirs is 1000/100?
And then they will install the ONT in the worst place in the home, where even wifi extenders wont give any speed to the top floor of a property, or at the far end of a L shaped property!
Wouldn’t it be nice if they invested in not spot and poor service areas first. I live in a town where we are lucky if we get 1.5 – 2mbps and 1 bar call service.
It’s extremely frustrating to see articles like this when there is zero development in many parts of the country.