topic Re: Upgrading EE 4G Router and EE Bands in Mobile Broadband

Upgrading EE 4G Router and EE Bands

louisefindlay23 — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 13:12:33 GMT

Hi,

Been using my EE 4G WiFi router for 3-4 years (with BT Whole Home WiFi mesh discs) and am looking to upgrade.

To those that have, is it better to get a combined modem/router that is compatible with 4G or separate the two devices?

Also, would upgrading improve the 4G speeds I'm getting or just improve the WiFi?

According to my EE Router page, I have the following stats:

RSRQ: -5.0 dB

RSRP: -78 dBm

SINR: 19dB

My iPhone field test page shows Band 3.

I did a speedtest.net test from an Intel N100 mini-PC connected with gigabit ethernet port which showed:

Download: 55.57 Mbps

Upload: 22.24 Mbps

Ping: 51ms

The location is the AB37 9** area. I'm unsure if my local mast offers more bands or speed since it's a very rural area.

Thanks.

[Mod edit: Edited postcode]

Re: Upgrading EE 4G Router and EE Bands

XRaySpeX — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 13:06:34 GMT

@louisefindlay23 : Mobile routers do include a 4G or 5G modem. I'm not sure I've every heard of a 4G modem w/out it being a router.

You might get higher speeds if you upgraded from 4G to 5G, depending on your area. Have you done an EE Coverage Check there?

Re: Upgrading EE 4G Router and EE Bands

louisefindlay23 — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 16:33:28 GMT

Hi.

Thanks for your reply. I have no 5G coverage in my area according to the EE coverage checker.

Re: Upgrading EE 4G Router and EE Bands

bristolian — Mon, 08 Dec 2025 17:30:21 GMT

Band 3 is EE's base band offering combinations of 20Mhz & 15Mhz carriers, depending on local config.

Around Ballindalloch & Marypark, there's 2 primary serving sites, both with a combination of single-carrier B3 (20Mhz bandwidth) & coverage-enhancing B20 (5Mhz bandwidth at 800Mhz)

A few sites away from the towns are single-carrier 800Mhz-only. Your stats show good radio conditions.