topic Re: Inquiry About Using a Third-Party Modem/Router in Broadband & Landline

Inquiry About Using a Third-Party Modem/Router

R-K-K — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 20:21:11 GMT

As I couldn’t find a way to contact EE via email, I hope this message reaches some people who might be able to assist me.

I would like to know if it is possible to replace the EE router with a third-party modem/router. My current EE router, which I received with my last contract, is approximately four years old and frequently disconnects—likely due to its age, though I’m no expert.

Initially, I considered renewing my contract to receive a new router, but the available options at my address offer significantly lower speeds (around 70 Mbps down). As an alternative, I am attempted to use a third-party router, but it fails to establish a DSL connection.

I was informed by staff at an EE store that third-party routers should be supported, but I understand they may not have definitive technical knowledge. Could somebody more knowledgeable on the topic then I please confirm whether EE allows third-party routers and, if so, provide any guidance on setup?

Any assistance or actionable suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

Re: Inquiry About Using a Third-Party Modem/Router

XRaySpeX — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 22:43:09 GMT

@R-K-K : Yes, you may use any suitable router as long as you're not taking DV from EE when the EE supplied router needs to be the 1st in line from the BB supply (phone socket or ONT). In Using & Configuring a Third Party Router you'll find everything you need to set up your router incl. the BB PPPoE creds. which are now the same as BT's.

What is the name of the EE BB plan are you on including its speed? What EE router & WiFi extenders do you have (read label or post a pix)? If its speed is significantly more than 70 Meg it is likely you are on G.Fast for which routers will be hard to find.

Re: Inquiry About Using a Third-Party Modem/Router

Mustrum — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 23:13:27 GMT

@R-K-K Have you spoken to Customer Services? It could be the line that is the issue, not the router.

Have you asked about a new router from EE?

Why would you not renew your contract, should be at a lower cost than out of contract charges, and although no options to upgrade just yet, have you looked to see if or when there will be?

Re: Inquiry About Using a Third-Party Modem/Router

R-K-K — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 21:37:22 GMT

So, the EE router must be used. I can connect a third-party router to the EE router, but there's no way to replace the EE router entirely with a third-party one. Is that correct?

There is no longer a specific name for the plan I signed up for. I believe the staff members at the store referred to it as the 'old' plan. My speeds are around 140-150 Mbps down and 30 Mbps up, which is why I was reluctant to sign a new contract, as the best possible speed available to me would be significantly slower.

Thank you for your quick response.

Re: Inquiry About Using a Third-Party Modem/Router

R-K-K — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 21:46:04 GMT

Good evening,
I spoke with some people at the in person store, and unfortunately, they have no idea when faster speeds will be available in my area. Had I been given an estimated timeline, I would have likely opted for the slower speed contract for now and upgraded when faster options became available.

The reason I haven't renewed my contract yet is that doing so would reduce my download speed from 140-150 Mbps to just 70-80 Mbps, which is a significant downgrade. Before going for the slower speed I thought to replace the router in hopes that it would be the old router at fault.

Thank you for your quick response, and apologies for taking so long on my end.

Re: Inquiry About Using a Third-Party Modem/Router

XRaySpeX — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 22:03:18 GMT

With speeds of 150 Meg you are probably on a EE Fibre Max plan, which is EE's version of G.Fast BB, & you have a white Smart Router. You won't have DV with that plan. So you could replace it with a 3rd-party G.Fast router but they will be hard to find.

It's only if you regraded to the slower plan offered by EE & you took DV with it that you couldn't use a 3rd-party router.

Re: Inquiry About Using a Third-Party Modem/Router

XRaySpeX — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 22:02:47 GMT

What does BT Wholesale Broadband Availability Checker estimate for your phone number? Post the whole table and the line above it, blanking out your phone number. If it doesn't recognise your phone number or you don't have one, use the Address Checker.

Re: Inquiry About Using a Third-Party Modem/Router

JimM11 — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 22:12:34 GMT

@R-K-K With the speed's that you mention then it sound's like you are on a G.fast DSL connected fttc plan, therefore you will need to have a modem (DSL) that is G.fast capable to connect and get those speed's.

EE and OR no longer support and are retiring the G.fast product, this could happen at anytime to you and will be outwith your or the ISP control's, that is why a NEW recontract is automatic and FORCED down to the lower 80/20 VDSL speed's.

What DSL modem / modems do you currently have the EE one, and the third party that you have gotten.? Reading below.

ASUS Release DSL-AC88U - One of the First G.fast Broadband WiFi Routers - ISPreview UK

ASUS DSL-AC88U AC3100 Wi-Fi Gigabit Modem Router, Upto 18x Speed than VDSL2, USB 3.0 for LTE/3G Connection, Media Server for (BT Infinity, YouView, TalkTalk, EE and Plusnet Fibre) - Black : Amazon.co.uk: PC & Video Games

Re: Inquiry About Using a Third-Party Modem/Router

XRaySpeX — Wed, 12 Mar 2025 22:27:56 GMT

@JimM11 : Stop panicking! They may well stop selling G.Fast but they won't just cut off existing G.Fast connections.

There are only plans to remove “zero use” G.Fast cabs in FTTP areas. "Just to be absolutely clear, if you are still on a G.Fast line in an Openreach FTTP area then you’re not on a “zero use” cabinet and so don’t need to worry." This does not affect OP.

Re: Inquiry About Using a Third-Party Modem/Router

JimM11 — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 10:18:35 GMT

@R-K-K It would appear that the BT Smarthub2 is also a G.Fast DSL Modem, would be another option for you, there is plenty off them going about second hand, think also new from amazon site as well.

Re: Inquiry About Using a Third-Party Modem/Router

XRaySpeX — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 12:50:22 GMT

@JimM11 : Could that mean that the EE SH (2023) (SH20A) also incorporates a G.Fast modem as it is said to be a clone of the BT SH2? A post on the BT Community suggests that a teardown proves they are exactly the same product.

Re: Inquiry About Using a Third-Party Modem/Router

JimM11 — Thu, 13 Mar 2025 20:07:11 GMT

@XRaySpeX The comparison that i viewed between both products they were virtually the same apart from the BT unit may have had some special filtering on it so hard to say. Have no experience off anything apart from the Smarthub+ ...The EE about our routers does not mention that the router supports g.fast so hard to say.

Re: Inquiry About Using a Third-Party Modem/Router

R-K-K — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 17:21:11 GMT

Good afternoon, apologies for getting back to you so late again. Finally had a change to go through some of the information you had asked about earlier. You are correct in your assumation that I was / am on the Fiber Max 100 Broadband plan.

This is what the availability checker returns

FTTP is not available.
The exchange is not in a current fibre priority programme
As a WLR withdrawal exchange, product restrictions apply
SOADSL is not restricted at the exchange

Re: Inquiry About Using a Third-Party Modem/Router

XRaySpeX — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 17:36:27 GMT

Yes, that confirms that G.Fast is available there & will continue to be so but EE (& others) will not supply any new contracts on G.Fast. So if you were to "upgrade" your BB with EE you can only go to "up to" 80 Meg VDSL.

Re: Inquiry About Using a Third-Party Modem/Router

Mustrum — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 17:44:51 GMT

@R-K-K Not sure there is much more to add, you will lose your G Fast if you try for a new contract, you could try and pick up another EE Smart Router, or BT Smart Hub 2 from eBay or other vendor which may or may not help, or you could report a fault to EE if the drops are significant.

On a positive note though, the table shows you can get 1000Mbps fibre on demand, a service meant for business and usually expensive. However it is normally up to 330Mbps, which suggests that FTTP could be coming to you soon. If you enter your address in the Openreach checker and if needed register for updates it should tell you how long you may have to wait. https://www.openreach.com/fibre-checker

HTH

Re: Inquiry About Using a Third-Party Modem/Router

R-K-K — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 21:28:16 GMT

Thank you all for your assistance, I have decided to go for the how contract however unfortunately the available speeds are as it will end up being far cheaper and realistically with how little I use the internet at home these days it is unlikely to affect anything significantly.

Re: Inquiry About Using a Third-Party Modem/Router

XRaySpeX — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 21:39:30 GMT

That's fine! Good choice. 80 Meg is good for most things.

Thanks! You're welcome 🙂 ! Glad I could be of assistance & trust it is now sorted.