All products and promotions are independently selected by our experts. To help us provide free impartial advice, we will earn an affiliate commission if you buy something. Click here to learn more
EE has unveiled a brand-new Wi-Fi router, which promises to unleash next-generation speeds and reliability to more households across the UK. With the refresh to its lineup, EE has become the first broadband supplier to offer Wi-Fi 7 as standard.
In comparison, Sky reserves its top-of-the-line Wi-Fi 7 router for the most expensive packages, something that Vodafone also does with its next-generation wireless speeds. Those with long memories won't be surprised to learn that this is exactly what EE did when it launched Wi-Fi 7 last summer.
Dubbed the EE Smart Hub 7 Plus, this slimline new router offers wireless speeds up to 1Gbps — that's 30% faster Wi-Fi throughput compared to the previous EE Smart Hub 6 Plus. That extra capacity isn't just about the fastest downloads possible, it's also useful when juggling more devices on the same network.
EE Smart Hub 7 Plus will be the new standard when any customers sign-up for full-fibre broadband from the BT-owned brand, unlocking Wi-Fi 7 speeds
|EE PRESS OFFICE
According to EE, UK households now average over 25 devices connected to the same Wi-Fi network. Five years ago, most of us had just seven devices connected to our Wi-Fi network.
This increase shows the explosion in smart home gadgets (video doorbells, smart thermostats, wireless speakers, Smart TVs, to name just a few) in recent years, placing more strain on ageing Wi-Fi setups.
The extra bandwidth provided by Wi-Fi 7 makes it much easier to keep everything connected.
The new lineup isn't the first time EE has released a Wi-Fi 7 router, with the EE Smart Hub 7 Pro launched that summer, bringing these future-proofed wireless connections to subscribers for the first time
|EE PRESS OFFICE
EE also offers an optional Wi-Fi Extender 7 Plus, which can be used to create a mesh Wi-Fi network around your home, extending the Wi-Fi network to every corner.
Originally used in airports and offices, mesh Wi-Fi networks replace a single WI-Fi router with multiple nodes dotted around — with devices seamlessly moved between these nodes so they always have the strongest signal, or avoid overloading a single node.
It's not just the addition of Wi-Fi 7 to the new lineup that sets it apart from what came before, EE has also added several features that were optional paid-for extras. This includes:
- Wi-Fi Intelligence: EE's Wi-Fi Intelligence feature promises to use "real-time network insight" to offer the best possible Wi-Fi coverage and connection quality throughout your 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. For example, if you move a Wi-Fi router, the network will automatically compensate for the new location of the node
- EE Wi-Fi Controls: A set of features within the My EE app that lets you manage the 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
Broadband brands owned by BT account for around one-third of the total market share in the UK, with EE spotlighted as the centre of innovation within the group. For now, there's no word on Wi-Fi 7 kit being available on the other internet suppliers under the BT umbrella, like Plusnet.
The slimline new EE Wi-Fi Extender 7 Plus extends coverage of your wireless signal throughout the house, eliminating any dead spots and helping to evenly distribute your devices across the network
|EE PRESS OFFICE
EE Smart Hub 7 Plus and Wi-Fi Extender 7 Plus arrive with a slew of new price plans from EE:
- Core
- Standard
- Premium
- Ultimate
These include a different bundle of optional extras and can be chosen distinct from the broadband speed.
For example, if you want cybersecurity protection from Norton, that's included with the Standard plans, which can be chosen with any download speed, including the entry-level Wi-Fi 7 plan, which costs £28.99 per month for 76Mbps speeds.
For the maxed-out 900Mbps downloads, you'll need to spend £39.99 per month.
EE Director of Product, Home and TV, Luciano Oliveira 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."
Here's the complete breakdown of EE broadband packages:
EE Full Fibre Plans | Features | Pricing |
Core For those who want to keep costs down without compromising on the basics. It’s ideal for students, renters, or anyone living solo who values 'value' over extras. |
| Included as standard with no additional cost |
Standard For those who want a broadband plan that can flex with their lifestyle and gives peace of mind, especially when it comes to security and reliability. Ideal for couples, flats, and small houses. |
| + £4 per month |
Premium For those who want smooth and reliable internet wherever they are in the house, plus additional features like security and network prioritisation. Ideal for families and those in larger houses. |
| + £11 per month |
Ultimate perfect for those who want top-tier performance, premium hardware, and in-home support to ensure everything runs perfectly. Ideal for larger families, the largest houses, and those who demand the best. |
| + £20 per month |
Alternatively, EE also 1.6Gbps download speeds which are available with either a Premium package (£66.99) which comes with the Smart Hub 7 Pro and WiFi Extender 7 Pro or Ultimate package (£75.99).
EE will also be participating in the Openreach Full Fibre (XGSPON) pilot, which will explore offering next-generation download speeds of up to 8.5Gbps.
The pilot will help shape future Full Fibre broadband services for customers with options evaluated for wider deployment across the UK. Further details on pricing and availability will be made nearer launch.
If you don't want to commit to any of the packages above for the duration of your contract, you can choose any of the plans and add the features via flexible 30-day rolling add-ons. That'll cost you:
- Cyber Security - £6 per month
- WiFi Optimiser - £5 per month
- WiFi Extender 7 Plus - £10 per month
- Smart Hub 7 Pro and WiFi Extender 7 Pro bundle - £15 per month (24m contract)
- Connectivity Backup - £10 per month
More From GB News