EE broadband gets Wi-Fi 7 router upgrade ahead of 8.5Gbps test launch

Summary

  • EE now includes Wi-Fi 7 hardware on every full fibre plan as standard, starting with the new Smart Hub 7 Plus.
  • Plans start from £28.99 for 74Mbps and go up to £75.99 for 1.6Gbps with all Ultimate features included.
  • Customers can upgrade to bundles with mesh extenders, security, traffic shaping and mobile network backup.
  • The Smart Hub 7 Pro is reserved for the 1.6Gbps plan but can also be added separately on other plans.
  • EE has joined Openreach’s 8.5Gbps XGS-PON trial, which starts in March 2026 and could shape future full fibre services.
  • EE One brings mobile and broadband together with discounts and extra data when you bundle services.

EE has updated its full fibre broadband range so that every new FTTP plan now includes Wi-Fi 7 hardware by default.

The refresh introduces the Smart Hub 7 Plus router on plans up to 1Gbps, continues with the Smart Hub 7 Pro on the top 1.6Gbps plan, and brings in new Wi-Fi 7 mesh extenders for wider wireless coverage. EE has also confirmed it will take part in Openreach’s trial of 8.5Gbps XGS-PON broadband, due to begin in March 2026.

EE WiFi 7 router

You can now choose between a basic Core bundle and three optional upgrades — Standard, Premium and Ultimate — or pick and pay for individual add-ons like Wi-Fi Optimiser, advanced security, and mobile connection backup.

Wi-Fi 7 now included with every EE full fibre package

Every refreshed EE full fibre plan now comes with Wi-Fi 7 equipment, regardless of which speed you choose — from 74Mbps up to 1.6Gbps.

For plans up to 1Gbps, EE includes the new Smart Hub 7 Plus, which replaces the previous Smart Hub Plus that offered Wi-Fi 6. The 1.6Gbps service continues to use the Smart Hub 7 Pro, which supports tri-band Wi-Fi and additional multi-gigabit ports.

This update makes EE the first national provider to offer Wi-Fi 7 hardware as a default part of all FTTP packages.

Speeds, contracts, and what’s included

EE full fibre broadband plans now include the following as standard:

  • Smart Hub 7 Plus router (Wi-Fi 7)
  • Wi-Fi Intelligence – automatic Wi-Fi channel and frequency optimisation
  • EE Wi-Fi Controls via the My EE app
  • Advanced Web Protect network security
  • Speed Guarantee – tailored to each plan

To see how this new hardware compares with other provider routers, check our detailed UK broadband router comparison guide.

If you go for the 1.6Gbps plan, you’ll get the more powerful Smart Hub 7 Pro by default, which is available through either the Premium or Ultimate bundle.

EE’s bundle options: Core, Standard, Premium and Ultimate

All plans include the Core features listed above. If you want more control, extended Wi-Fi coverage or extra protection, you can choose from three upgrade bundles — or add features individually.

Standard bundle – adds Wi-Fi optimisation and Norton security

The Standard upgrade costs £4 extra per month and includes:

  • Keep Connected Promise – If your fibre service develops a fault, EE sends you a 4G Mini Hub so you can stay online using mobile data.
  • Cyber Security powered by Norton – Protection for up to 15 devices, including password management, data leak alerts and social media monitoring.
  • Wi-Fi Optimiser – Automatically prioritises gaming, streaming and other traffic to reduce delays and buffering.

This is useful if you need a backup during outages and want stronger device protection without paying for hardware upgrades.

Premium bundle – includes Wi-Fi 7 mesh

The Premium bundle adds WiFi Extender 7 Plus, a mesh device that extends your wireless network to cover more rooms. It’s priced at £11 extra per month and includes everything from the Standard bundle.

The mesh extender connects wirelessly to the main hub and includes a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port — ideal if you want to plug in a device like a TV, console or switch.

You can also get the 1.6Gbps plan with this Premium bundle, including Smart Hub 7 Pro and WiFi Extender 7 Pro.

Ultimate bundle – adds Pro router and in-home visits

The Ultimate bundle builds on the others by replacing the hardware with EE’s top-spec Wi-Fi 7 kit:

  • Smart Hub 7 Pro router
  • WiFi Extender 7 Pro

It also adds EE Guides Home Visit, which gives you:

  • Free setup visit from an EE broadband engineer
  • One annual in-home check to optimise speeds and improve performance

This bundle is usually a bit expensive with the 1.6Gbps plan. It’s designed for homes with lots of devices and a need for top-end connectivity backed by support.

Smart Hub 7 Plus – now the standard EE router

The Smart Hub 7 Plus is now the standard router for all EE full fibre plans up to 1Gbps. It includes:

  • Wi-Fi 7 support (802.11be)
  • Dual-band wireless: 2.4GHz (2×2) and 5GHz (4×4)
  • Broadcom BCM6766 quad-core 2GHz processor
  • 2GB RAM and 8GB flash storage

You also get:

  • 1 × 2.5Gbps WAN port for your fibre ONT
  • 1 × 2.5Gbps LAN port for multi-gigabit devices
  • 3 × 1Gbps LAN ports

It only works with FTTP connections, supports Digital Voice via DECT/FXS, integrates with EE TV, and includes backup support when you add Connectivity Backup.

The unit is slim (252mm x 33mm x 165mm), made from 95% recycled plastic, and includes a built-in password card. The light ring can be dimmed or switched off if needed.

WiFi Extender 7 Plus – for homes that need wider coverage

The WiFi Extender 7 Plus is a mesh device designed to work with Smart Hub 7 Plus. It uses the same Broadcom platform and supports dual-band Wi-Fi 7:

  • 2.4GHz (2×2)
  • 5GHz (4×4)

It includes:

  • Broadcom BCM6766 quad-core processor
  • 1GB RAM and 8GB flash
  • 1 × 2.5Gbps Ethernet port

It’s managed using the same EE app, supports EE TV, and is also built using 95% recycled plastic. Size is 155mm x 28mm x 155mm.

This extender is included in the Premium bundle or can be added separately if you want to customise your plan.

Smart Hub 7 Pro and mesh for the fastest plan

If you choose EE’s 1.6Gbps plan, you’ll get the Smart Hub 7 Pro, which adds a third band (6GHz) on top of the 2.4GHz and 5GHz already included in the Plus version.

This Pro-grade router is built for Wi-Fi 7 devices, giving extra wireless capacity and more wired multi-gigabit ports. You can take the 1.6Gbps service with either:

  • Premium bundle – includes Smart Hub 7 Pro and WiFi Extender 7 Pro
  • Ultimate bundle – includes Pro hardware, EE Guides Home Visit, and all other features

You can also upgrade to the Smart Hub 7 Pro + WiFi Extender 7 Pro on other full fibre plans by buying them together as a hardware bundle.

EE software features: Wi-Fi tuning and parental tools

Wi-Fi Intelligence is now built into every full fibre plan. It automatically manages wireless channels and device links in the background to deliver better speed and lower latency — especially when mesh extenders are in use.

Wi-Fi Optimiser, which comes with the Standard, Premium and Ultimate bundles, helps reduce buffering and lag by prioritising traffic for time-sensitive tasks like video calls and gaming.

The EE Wi-Fi Controls in the My EE app let you pause the internet for specific devices, apply time limits, or check what’s connected.

Network security and connection backup

Every EE full fibre package now includes Advanced Web Protect, which blocks known malicious domains and websites at the network level.

You can also add Cyber Security powered by Norton, which is included in the Standard, Premium and Ultimate bundles. It covers up to 15 devices and adds:

  • Password manager
  • Dark web monitoring
  • Social media protection

For backup during faults, EE offers two options:

  • Keep Connected Promise – Sends a 4G Mini Hub during outages so you can stay online.
  • Connectivity Backup – An optional device that switches you to EE’s mobile network automatically if a fault is detected.

For a full look at how EE compares to other providers across features and support, see our in-depth EE broadband review.

Add-on pricing if bought individually

If you prefer to build your own bundle, you can choose individual extras:

  • Cyber Security (Norton) – £6 per month
  • Wi-Fi Optimiser – £5 per month
  • WiFi Extender 7 Plus – £10 per month
  • Smart Hub 7 Pro + Extender 7 Pro bundle – £15 per month (24-month term)
  • Connectivity Backup – £10 per month

Most are available on 30-day rolling terms, except the Pro hardware bundle which is only available on a 24-month agreement.

EE One: broadband and mobile together

If you take EE broadband and EE mobile together, you can get extra perks through EE One.

These include:

  • Discounts on your mobile plan — up to £480 over two years depending on which mobile package you choose
  • Extra mobile data on eligible EE plans

These additions build on EE’s strong mobile service performance, which you can read more about in the latest report on EE’s UK network test results.

EE will join Openreach’s 8.5Gbps trial in 2026

EE has confirmed it will be part of Openreach’s trial of next-generation XGS-PON broadband, which supports multi-gigabit speeds and upload speeds equal to download speeds.

The trial starts in March 2026 in Guildford, covering 40,000 premises. If successful, it could lead to new multi-gigabit FTTP products available nationwide.

EE is the first major ISP using Openreach’s infrastructure to confirm its involvement in this pilot. Pricing and product names for the 5.5Gbps and 8.5Gbps services will be announced closer to launch.

These future services are designed for households with extremely high usage requirements — from media professionals to large households running many high-speed devices or cloud workflows.

Final thoughts

With Wi-Fi 7 now included on every plan, and new routers designed to support faster connections, EE is focusing on performance, reliability and in-home coverage.

As faster technologies like XGS-PON become available, EE’s strategy of bundling advanced hardware and flexible add-ons puts it in a strong position to support homes that rely on consistent and high-capacity broadband.

If you’re switching or renewing your full fibre broadband, EE now supplies Wi-Fi 7 kit by default — with the option to expand coverage, add backup and layer in advanced tools if needed.

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