topic Re: 900mbps > 1.6gbps upgrade / gigabit wifi suggestions in Broadband & Landline

900mbps > 1.6gbps upgrade / gigabit wifi suggestions

ChicChoco — Sat, 14 Sep 2024 22:19:00 GMT

Hello all

Just before calling EE, we went live just over two weeks ago and now wish I’d gone 1.6gbps, the guide on the phone during sales call said I can upgrade in contract but not downgrade, so is it possible now to upgrade from gigabit essentials to busiest home / gamer package? Online it doesn’t show the option apart from gigabit full works / all rounder.

No DV or TV sub.

Also, couple of questions:

How do i activate the free Xbox game pass ultimate for 12 months? It shows the addon in the EE app under broadband, but won’t load with an error and doesn’t say it’s free?

Any third party wifi AP / router suggestions, currently the EE hub and my RT-AX88U are both struggling at 550-650mbps and wanted to ideally get higher (not sure how, but the smart hub plus is outperforming the RT-AX88U on wifi speed - but only when it doesn’t have to handle routing - DCHP disabled / as an AP into the RT-AX88U). House is a three storey 2008 build.

Thanks a lot

Scott

Re: 900mbps > 1.6gbps upgrade / gigabit wifi suggestions

ChicChoco — Sat, 14 Sep 2024 22:23:53 GMT

Also, the wifi is being tested with wifi 6 clients and RT-AX88U is set to 160mhz bandwidth and I tried manually setting all channels to get the best speed but that device is 3 years old so maybe time to replace it so interested to know what setup people are rolling with…

Re: 900mbps > 1.6gbps upgrade / gigabit wifi suggestions

JimM11 — Sat, 14 Sep 2024 23:09:10 GMT

@ChicChoco Until you try Ethernet test, with possible if you can all wi-fi devices off and find out what the baseline speed test is. Wireless has far to many variables, and network is a shared resource. If you are not able to hit the 900's via Ethernet as a starting point, then you need to look at what's going on!

Re: 900mbps > 1.6gbps upgrade / gigabit wifi suggestions

ChicChoco — Sat, 14 Sep 2024 23:32:39 GMT

All good on Ethernet, 937mbps. Just wanting to know what wifi setups people are using on the 900mbps/1.6gbps plan to maximise possible WiFi speed. I’ve read quite a few reviews and bits online but wanted to know real life what people are using and their experience…

Re: 900mbps > 1.6gbps upgrade / gigabit wifi suggestions

JimM11 — Sat, 14 Sep 2024 23:45:45 GMT

@ChicChoco Gigabit you are covered, will take a look at the Asus spec tomorrow and get back regarding it unless someone else pops up, XT8 user myself, pretty sure that your router is way up there but need to take a quick look. Favoured if you search the forum is the TP-Link range but keep away from the BE550, or Orbi if the cost does not put you off on it. Going 1.6Gb/s does include the latest EE hardware New Pro router and smartwifi mesh to suit, and until it gets into the hands of some experienced user's there is not much known about it currently apart from some hardware details.

Re: 900mbps > 1.6gbps upgrade / gigabit wifi suggestions

JimM11 — Sun, 15 Sep 2024 07:08:08 GMT

@ChicChoco Taken a look at your Asus router, with it's spec you should easily get higher wireless speed than your current values posted, can see why the + would be faster, due to processor/age/newer etc. Now the crux is all of the combined, do not know what your layout is like, high speed wireless you need to be close device to router within 6', Your EE is NOT an AP even though you think so, mode wise and how connected. If you are heading towards the 1.6Gb/s package, then HW would be free, and as yet until someone gets it in there hands and thrashes the life out of it, all will be revealed within a couple off weeks/months...

Re: 900mbps > 1.6gbps upgrade / gigabit wifi suggestions

JimM11 — Sun, 15 Sep 2024 08:11:50 GMT

@ChicChoco Quick snapshot of the Asus RP in RE mode to the EE router, gives you the idea.

Re: 900mbps > 1.6gbps upgrade / gigabit wifi suggestions

ChicChoco — Sun, 15 Sep 2024 11:23:51 GMT

Yeah on paper the RT-AX88U is a powerful wifi6 router that IMO should out perform the SH+ or at least perform to a similar level.

When I use the SH+ on its own, two storeys up the wifi is 250-300mbps and performs worse than the RT-AX88U on its own (achieves 350mbps).

When I use the RT-AX88U as an AP (Ethernet back haul to the SH+) the speed is similar two storeys up, no improvement.

When I use the SH+ as an AP (disable DCHP, UPnP, change IP to a static one in the existing subnet and plug into the RT-AX88U LAN to LAN ports, then I get 650mbps two storeys via the wifi chip on the SH+. This surprised me!

It seems the wifi chip of the SH+ is really decent but when it needs to handle the routing and DCHP too is when the performance drops.

So, so far, the best setup I have is the SH+ connected to the RT-AX88U as a main router , which still blows my mind and I don’t experience the drops or issues like others do. My wife however doesn’t appreciate the glowing orange LED so it’s not a permanent solution.

Now I'm conscious on what to buy and so far the Smart Hub Pro looks very promising on paper, so I’m feeling if they are going to charge me for addon it’s worth just paying extra per month to get 1.6gbps and the router free, as its WiFi 7 it should perform good.

It looks like we’re starting to see ISP supplied routers that are capable of good wifi performance, and what I don’t want to do is buy another setup and achieve less performance.

I just wish they let you pick your own dns servers, more than any other pro feature with their hubs; and treat the advanced settings like an actual management panel.

I have been looking at UnFi setups too but still considering pros / cons.

Thanks

Re: 900mbps > 1.6gbps upgrade / gigabit wifi suggestions

ChicChoco — Sun, 15 Sep 2024 11:35:16 GMT

I’m calling now about how to redeem Xbox game pass ultimate free for 12 months so will ask the upgrade question too 👍🏻

Re: 900mbps > 1.6gbps upgrade / gigabit wifi suggestions

JimM11 — Sun, 15 Sep 2024 12:14:57 GMT

@ChicChoco You can turn the light off in the EE admin manager, and will only come on for a fault condition.

Edit: It's all down to the maths of addon plus lower speed, what premium that they put on the Pro unit's, got to get the money back some how, features and lock down will not be known until user's get the hands on, cannot blame EE for that, badly setup router can cause headaches for support that they will not wish to have. Also just don't get your speed's, even my phone gets up to 1.2gb/s displayed when about 4' from the EE router, beginning to think you need to wifi analyse and look at the devices you have. If you look at my Pic you will see the 5Ghz AP speed and signal strength relative to the EE, distance between units will be about 40' and one wall between. You should be able to see similar with your web interface to the RT you have, only QOS or IPV6 bad would possible bring your wi-fi down so low. Hope you get it all sorted to your needs. Keep the wife happy and turn the orange glow off.🙄

Re: 900mbps > 1.6gbps upgrade / gigabit wifi suggestions

ChicChoco — Sun, 15 Sep 2024 11:57:35 GMT

Good shout!

Just called 150 and been told (despite on the sales call I could), that I can’t upgrade to 1.6gbps package as I already have an ONT now and it’s not possible in the system but they are working on it.

Asked if I was switching from sky FTTP with an ONT to EE if I could take 1.6gbps and the answer was yes, so it’s not to do with not having an ONT already.

Then was advised 600mbps over wifi is great and I can’t achieve gigabit speeds over wifi.

Then was advised I haven’t got the game pass as the web portal is down, so they can’t send emails out to a broken website; and they can fill in a form to request it.

I just said well if on Tuesday you release the new hub and want £20 extra to add it on, I’d have rather paid £25 extra for 1.6gbps with it for free.

Not very impressed right now as I’m having to chase for the freebie; and been misadvised during the sales call, as I said to him, if I was told it wasn’t possible later I’d have gone for the 1.6gbps - I wanted to see how the service performed for gaming etc before committing for the more expensive option; and with the negativity around SH+ for 1.6 put me off (which is about to be sorted with the new hub).

See what happens next, still on hold whilst they’re looking at options.

Scott

Re: 900mbps > 1.6gbps upgrade / gigabit wifi suggestions

JimM11 — Sun, 15 Sep 2024 12:31:44 GMT

@ChicChoco Really not too much bad about the + router, once you get it up and running, it can do the speed's and dont be fooled by the forum reviews, plenty of smart user's got it working, but it is a ISP supplied, so will never be as free as a REAL Asus router when you can do plenty with that. You pay's your money, but it would be good if the ISP would discount for user's wishing to use there own gear, maybe someday, premium wants will always be full price, EE are not stupid! See if they can pull your recording of sales call, i would if sure that i was correct.

When you get finished with the call, take a quick look at the ONT, colour of lan/wan socket, or placement of the reset can let you know what is fitted, you may be lucky and have the 2.5GB interface on it, was a shortage of supply and OR where fitting what they got hands on. Pics of ONT's on the forum.🤞

Re: 900mbps > 1.6gbps upgrade / gigabit wifi suggestions

ChicChoco — Sun, 15 Sep 2024 12:30:08 GMT

Yeah that’s what I mentioned before being put on hold and now been on hold for 27 mins, so not sure if I’m lost in the system or they are looking into it still, no updates and currently mowing the grass before the football 😂

Re: 900mbps > 1.6gbps upgrade / gigabit wifi suggestions

ChicChoco — Sun, 15 Sep 2024 13:41:23 GMT

Yeah so they’ve filled a form out for game pass ultimate now and I should hear in a week.

Upgrading to 1.6 is categorically not possible despite sales saying I could upgrade later. Going to call up after the new hub is released to see if I can get it on the current package until they have an upgrade route else I’ll make a complaint and take it further I think; depends if they want to charge and how much that equates to compared to £25 extra for the busiest homes bundle which would include it FOC and be 700mbps faster…

Actually exhausted, 2 hrs 9 mins on the phone for this 😦

Re: 900mbps > 1.6gbps upgrade / gigabit wifi suggestions

SJPetter — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 18:49:32 GMT

This is new, the pro hub and wifi is now mentioned

Re: 900mbps > 1.6gbps upgrade / gigabit wifi suggestions

ChicChoco — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 21:40:40 GMT

Will have to see what the crack is tomorrow on availability but clearly they’re ready for launch 🚀

I’ve decided I’d be willing to pay £10 extra for the kit on 900mbps, but if it’s more than this on sub 1.6gbp tiers and FOC on the 1.6 tiers then I’d really be annoyed with the upgrade issue - as the extra £25 would be worth it for the speed increase and kit (if they charged say £15-£20 that’s too much without the speed increase)

Re: 900mbps > 1.6gbps upgrade / gigabit wifi suggestions

ChicChoco — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 21:43:15 GMT

The new iPhone 16 has wifi 7 too so they’ve managed it just in time for launch and I’m sure this will be a part of the broadband sales strategy to get people to buy the addon / 1.6gbps tiers. Plus the mobile strategy to get people to move fibre over to EE as the first broadband provider with inclusive easy to use WiFi 7 kit to maximise the connection to your iPhone. 😅😅

Re: 900mbps > 1.6gbps upgrade / gigabit wifi suggestions

XRaySpeX — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 22:42:28 GMT

@SJPetter : Where? Linky please?

Re: 900mbps > 1.6gbps upgrade / gigabit wifi suggestions

ChicChoco — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 23:23:28 GMT

It’s on the standard broadband deals shop page where you enter postcode (logged out), when you expand the Smart WiFi accordion box 👌🏻

But shop is down now so can’t get a link…

edit: just the broadband part of the shop is down showing the iPhone 16 pre order message, mobile shop is available as normal.

Re: 900mbps > 1.6gbps upgrade / gigabit wifi suggestions

XRaySpeX — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 01:34:23 GMT

@ChicChoco : Thanks! But nowt under v Smart Hubs. A case of extenders w/out their Hubs? 😉