Extending wifi signal from EE Smart Hub Plus (SH31B)

[simonbath]

I have just installed an EE Smart Plus Hub (SH31B). I'm getting good download speeds (almost 700mps) on devices in close proximity to the Hub, but I live in a 3-storey townhouse, and speeds on the middle and top floors are not great. Previously I had a BT hub with a round black BT booster and that improved the speeds on the upper floors.

Can I use something like a TP-Link RE550 Range Extender to boost the wifi from the EE hub, or is the only option to go for an EE product (the SW30A extender)? 

[Mustrum]

@simonbath    The TP Link website says that device works with any router, so you should be fine with that.

https://www.tp-link.com/uk/home-networking/range-extender/re550/ 

[Eddy2760]

You can use most TP link devices, I have a power line one that connects to my garage 👌 

I also have EE’s WiFi plus extenders (£10 extra per month) and they provide upto 3 of these extenders.
so far I am happy with the coverage they are providing me around my home including in my previous black spots 👌 

[simonbath]

Thanks Mostrum. Really helpful.

My nervousness regarding the TP Link is that the spec refers to any "router" and I wasn't sure if that would exclude the EE Smart Hub, since it's a hub rather than a router (showing my ignorance here!)

[simonbath]

Thanks Eddy2760. Really helpful.

Can I confirm - does your TP Link Powerline work with the EE Smart Hub Plus SH31B?

Can I also ask - how come you went with EE's wifi extenders at £10pm when TP Link and other manufacturers work out a lot cheaper over (say) a 24 month contract?  Apologies if this is a dumb or intrusive question.

Thanks again

[XRaySpeX]

@simonbath : Same thing! It's just EE's word for it. 

[Eddy2760]

lol noo not at all intrusive lol 😂 happy to help all where I can 👌

For me with TP Power-line, I don’t think the speed is there compared to the extenders that I have been supplied with by EE. My power-line is pumping out max 60mbps where as the extenders are upto 710mbps at the moment also since the factory reset this has become lower for some reason 🤷‍♂️ 

There maybe better TP power line products with better speeds than the one I have but I can’t afford to pay outright for some of the costs they charge so for £10 per month for 3 extenders I am happy at the moment that I can provide WiFi all around the home straight away 👌

[simonbath]

Thanks Eddy2760, much appreciated.

[simonbath]

Great, thanks XRaySpeX.

[bobpullen]

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@simonbath wrote:

I have just installed an EE Smart Plus Hub (SH31B). I'm getting good download speeds (almost 700mps) on devices in close proximity to the Hub, but I live in a 3-storey townhouse, and speeds on the middle and top floors are not great. Previously I had a BT hub with a round black BT booster and that improved the speeds on the upper floors.

Can I use something like a TP-Link RE550 Range Extender to boost the wifi from the EE hub, or is the only option to go for an EE product (the SW30A extender)? 

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A repeater like the one you mention will work; it does not support WiFi6 though which the EE Smart WiFi extenders do (if that matters to you). It also has fewer antenna, operates at lower channel widths, and I doubt it will be as capable in terms of creating a truly 'seamless' WiFi network.

If you go the Powerline route, be mindful there that's no chance you'll get anywhere close to 700mbps through electrical wiring; you'd be lucky to get a third of that.