topic Re: Do i need to set up the EE smart hub when old BT hub is working fine in Broadband & Landline

Do i need to set up the EE smart hub when old BT hub is working fine

cowman89 — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 18:55:59 GMT

Hi i was a customer of BT and have moved to EE. I have broadband only fibre and first 3 months are free. I only moved to EE because i was out of contract and BT were charging me a lot more than a contract. I wasnt unhappy with BT service internet has always worked well.

I now have received the EE smart hub but I still have the BT halo hub connected and the internet seems to be working the same as before the switch no problems. BT said I didnt need to return the halo hub because it is quite old. I live by myself and my usage is quite simple I just have a desktop computer with ethernet and internet and dont need or want anything else like wireless or apps. Internet has always worked well and seems fast.

So my idea at the moment is to keep the EE smart hub as a back up and carry on using the original BT hub. I worry if i connect up this new hub I will makes things worse or something will go wrong. Am I able to stick with the BT hub for the foreseeable future? and what advantages and benefits are there if I use the new EE hub over the BT hub?

Thank you for any help or advice.

Re: Do i need to set up the EE smart hub when old BT hub is working fine

JimM11 — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 19:03:23 GMT

@cowman89 Just keep using your BT router, as long as it is working, advantages one over the other for you is NIL.

Re: Do i need to set up the EE smart hub when old BT hub is working fine

Mustrum — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 19:04:12 GMT

@cowman89 yes you can carry on as you are with the BT Hub, and keeping the EE one in case of issues is a great idea.

Re: Do i need to set up the EE smart hub when old BT hub is working fine

JimM11 — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 19:10:53 GMT

@cowman89 Do not leave it too long, but on your desktop computer, sign into your NEW EE ID or set it up if that is what they asked you to do, that way when connected you should be able to see your account and bills etc, if not just make sure that EE Direct Debit is correct, and BT stop taking payments, and if you are due a refund from BT that you get it back, once that is all done and dusted, cancel your BT DD with your banking.

EE apps are not worth the aggro when it does not work, mobiles are for making telephone calls, and the occasional e-mail when you are out and about.

Re: Do i need to set up the EE smart hub when old BT hub is working fine

XRaySpeX — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 19:14:34 GMT

What is the name of the EE BB plan are you on including its speed?

Which BT router model do you have?

The EE SH+ would give you WiFi6 but then you don't want any WiFi.

Re: Do i need to set up the EE smart hub when old BT hub is working fine

cowman89 — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 19:27:27 GMT

Thank you. Yes I have set up and signed in to EE with my ID. I am not sure if i am due a refund from BT. My last payment to them was end of march and my new contract with EE has started today. Does that mean BT owe me anything?

Re: Do i need to set up the EE smart hub when old BT hub is working fine

JimM11 — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 19:33:12 GMT

@cowman89 Yes more than likely, you pay one month in advance with both BT and EE so due something back from BT.

EE will bill you now you are live with them, say both were £30 per month, BT owe you 10 days less than the whole month so about £20 back from them, standard way for all BB accounts.

Re: Do i need to set up the EE smart hub when old BT hub is working fine

cowman89 — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 19:33:17 GMT

Not sure of the plan think it was fibre 2 and the speed said 30 something megabytes when I logged into my EE acount. The router i have had it about 8 years think it is Halo 2 it is rectangular and has a big circle where you see the blue light.

Re: Do i need to set up the EE smart hub when old BT hub is working fine

JimM11 — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 19:41:02 GMT

@cowman89 Link below will show you the BT Routers but sounds like you have the BT Smarthub 2. It's a good and efficient router no matter how old you think it is....

Different types of BT Hub | BT Help

Re: Do i need to set up the EE smart hub when old BT hub is working fine

cowman89 — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 19:40:59 GMT

Thanks for all your help. I have the first 3 months free with EE. So I guess i will need to set up a new direct debit with EE at some point do i do that now or wait until the first 3 months are up?

Re: Do i need to set up the EE smart hub when old BT hub is working fine

cowman89 — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 19:43:44 GMT

yes bt smarthub 2

Re: Do i need to set up the EE smart hub when old BT hub is working fine

JimM11 — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 19:55:28 GMT

@cowman89 I would, gives you plenty time, you should be able to see the final bill on your MyBT account, and have access to it for a year so the EE blurb say's, you may even get the automatic e-mail from EE saying they set it all up automatically from your BT info that will be on file.

When you are next logged into your EE, have a quick look on your profile, make sure the e-mail address is good, your contact number is good, and think you can still setup the preference of name when they call you, but it's mostly when you talk to them anyway, do you mind if a call you James/Jim not sure what shows up on the screen....

Edit:- this old link below shows just how good it was in its day, and still will be that way. years on.

BT Publish WiFi Speedtests for New Smart Hub 2 Router vs Rival ISPs - ISPreview UK

Re: Do i need to set up the EE smart hub when old BT hub is working fine

XRaySpeX — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 20:03:29 GMT

Sounds like the BT SH 2 like this:

As you are on partial Fibre (FTTC) it won't make any diff which router you use.

Re: Do i need to set up the EE smart hub when old BT hub is working fine

JimM11 — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 20:09:00 GMT

@cowman89 On the outside of the EE box they sent you will be a label for the model, ie SH20 or SH31, etc, would be good to know just so it is the correct version of EE router that has been sent, sometimes mistakes can be made you get the wrong one and when you need to use it, oops no way to connect the sucker. Post the info up when you get time, like for like would be the SH20A version.... Or take a look at the link below.

https://ee.co.uk/help/broadband/getting-started/compare-our-range-of-broadband-hubs

Re: Do i need to set up the EE smart hub when old BT hub is working fine

cowman89 — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 20:10:17 GMT

yes

Re: Do i need to set up the EE smart hub when old BT hub is working fine

cowman89 — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 20:12:25 GMT

yes am on partial fibre. so if i wont notice any difference in performance probably seems sensible not to change anything. thanks for your advice.

Re: Do i need to set up the EE smart hub when old BT hub is working fine

cowman89 — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 20:15:20 GMT

it is sh31B is that the correct one?

Re: Do i need to set up the EE smart hub when old BT hub is working fine

JimM11 — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 20:23:23 GMT

@cowman89 Yes that's good, EE Smarthub + wi-fi 6 router with the FTTC modem interface. One step above the 2023 model.

Edit:- And welcome to the EE Forum, the Help above top off the page is good, just sometimes hard to find what you need specific but the Forum members are all here to help and advise as best we can.👍

Re: Do i need to set up the EE smart hub when old BT hub is working fine

cowman89 — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 21:48:22 GMT

just checked and i am on fibre 50 essentials. I think that is full fibre isnt it? I though i was on partial fibre because thats what i had with BT but might be on full fibre. If thats the case might i see some improvement if i use the new EE hub? or not really.

Re: Do i need to set up the EE smart hub when old BT hub is working fine

Mustrum — Wed, 09 Apr 2025 22:05:41 GMT

@cowman89 You would know if you are on full fibre, Openreach would have come along and fitted a new fibre cable and fibre modem/OMT. Whereas I presume you have not moved the roter from your BT Master Socket.

That said, it may be worth looking to see if full fibre will be available anytime soon. Entering your details on the BTW site will tell you if it is available, or Openreach if it is planned anytime soon.

https://www.broadbandchecker.btwholesale.com/#/ADSL use the address input if you don't have a phone line number.

https://www.openreach.com/fibre-checker you can register your interest if no results and get updated if plans change.