topic Re: EE Smart Hub Plus and Wirelesss Extenders in Broadband & Landline

EE Smart Hub Plus and Wirelesss Extenders

DavidF9 — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 19:26:03 GMT

I currently have BT Broadband 70MB delivered over copper. The circuit is delivered from a telegraph pole into my loft extension eaves, where the router and a switch is placed. I then distribute hard wired ethernet connections via a patch panel to data points throughout the house for optimum performance as I live in an old house spread over 3 floors and which has solid brick walls.

I am having EE Full Fibre installed this week and I have a few questions that I would appreciate some help with. The fibre is due to be delivered from the pole and I am hoping we can get it to the same position where the current router is, to use the distribution system.

The wifi is currently delivered using 3 White Disc BT Whole Home Wifi units (one on each floor). Each one has a static IP address, and same SSID and connects back via an ethernet connection to the router. Wifi is turned OFF on the router itself. I have read that the black discs do not work with the EE Smart Hub Plus but that the white discs may work.

Could someone please inform me if I can use the white discs. If so is the setup the same or does wifi need to be turned on, on the router itself and are there any other changes that need to be made.

I have also been sent 1 Smart Wifi Plus wireless extender. This has an ethernet port in the back. Can it be used in a similar way to the White Disc Whole Home Wifi where it connects back to the router via ethernet. Can it be given a static IP address. Does it have a web interface to configure it? I know if I have to use these boxes I will need more than one but I am also worried that if they are only making wifi mesh connections back to the router then performance may be worse.

Thank you for your help

Re: EE Smart Hub Plus and Wirelesss Extenders

XRaySpeX — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 19:39:14 GMT

The white "High St." Whole Home discs do work with the EE Smart Hub Plus (SH+) router. It's the black BT Complete WiFi discs that doesn't!

If they're connected back to the router by Ethernet the router's WiFi does not need to be ON.

The EE Smart Wifi Plus extender should be similar.

Re: EE Smart Hub Plus and Wirelesss Extenders

JimM11 — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 19:42:26 GMT

@DavidF9 Personally have the Fibre delivered to the exact same spot, and have the ONT installed there, you need to get the OR Installation team to play ball with you. Keep all your existing equipment BT Router and whole home disk's, send all the EE stuff back, you will have a lot less issues.

Re: EE Smart Hub Plus and Wirelesss Extenders

XRaySpeX — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 19:59:17 GMT

At the loss of WiFi6.

Re: EE Smart Hub Plus and Wirelesss Extenders

JimM11 — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 20:02:41 GMT

@XRaySpeX zero speed loss.

Re: EE Smart Hub Plus and Wirelesss Extenders

DavidF9 — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 20:06:44 GMT

Hi Jim

Thanks for the heads up. I was preparing for a battle with them as I don't want my garden dug up or cables strung outside the house, and I must be able to use the distribution panel which is located next to the router.

I was planning to have the ONT installed there like my existing Openreach BB box.

You suggested keeping my current router. But it does not have an RJ45 ethernet WAN connection, only an RJ11. Also it does not have digital voice. So I fear I will have to use the EE router.

I have already reconfigured the LAN side of the EE router, so when it is plugged in to the new WAN service I am hoping the Whole Home Wifi connects, and all devices (hardwired and wifi connected) all just work.

Re: EE Smart Hub Plus and Wirelesss Extenders

XRaySpeX — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 20:10:04 GMT

Which BT router do you have at present?

Re: EE Smart Hub Plus and Wirelesss Extenders

Mustrum — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 20:12:55 GMT

@DavidF9 have a good study of the Openreach Guide https://www.openreach.com/help-and-support/full-fibre-broadband-installation-checklist

Generaly speaking Openreach prefer to fit on the ground floor as they cannot splice the fibre from the top of the ladder. They also will not go anywhere near an unhoarded loft.

With plenty of cups of tea/coffee chocky biscuits and maybe even bacon baps they may offer a degree of flexibility, but it will all depend on who you get on the day and what is possible/practical.

All that said, the router does not have to be next to the ONT, if you have good quality ethernet connections you could put it where you want.

Re: EE Smart Hub Plus and Wirelesss Extenders

DavidF9 — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 20:13:51 GMT

Smartswitch 2, I believe

1 RJ11 WAN port, 4 ethernet LAN ports, 1 USB and one covered up digital voice connector

Re: EE Smart Hub Plus and Wirelesss Extenders

JimM11 — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 20:22:44 GMT

@DavidF9 With you so far, got it all, you would therefore be better to ditch all your BT Home hub smart wireless and get the extra 2 EE Smart wireless unit's. Wired backhaul is estimated to work with the units. Patch your DV Voice from the back of the Smarthub+ ATA connector out to a connected socket to take care off the voice side.

If you can do the prep work before with regards to the cable run from the Eaves to the ONT location ie drill the hole for the cable to come in, up the joist, NO sharp bends for the cable and a power socket for the ONT then nice OR engineer will do, if you feel it is unsafe, then they get the same feeling not going to happen, but as you have it already setup do not think there will be the slightest issue.....

If you wish to open up PM and send me a message will discuss the virtues of the whole home wifi.

Re: EE Smart Hub Plus and Wirelesss Extenders

XRaySpeX — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 20:28:18 GMT

The BT Smart Hub 2 has Port 4 software configurable as a WAN port.

The DV port may be uncovered.

Re: EE Smart Hub Plus and Wirelesss Extenders

DavidF9 — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 20:29:18 GMT

They already have it on their system that it is being delivered off a pole at high level. I plan to sit down and go through the whole setup before we start.

Re: EE Smart Hub Plus and Wirelesss Extenders

DavidF9 — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 20:46:00 GMT

Hi Jim

Thanks for the update. It was unclear how/if wired backhaul works. I could not make out if the extender are configurable or not. Do they just pick up a DHCP address? I presume in this case wifi will need to be switched on on the router.

I also posted a question under the digital voice section of this forum as I have a connection hardwired from inside the BT box into the back of my voice patch panel which gives me 4 live extensions to distribute over my cabling system into any room. I plug an RJ45 - RJ11 converter into the data point and the phone just works. I am not sure how I can achieve this with digital voice.

They can come through the same hole outside. The cable then runs under the loft floor. The current cable is straight and is loose and can be pulled from both ends so I am hoping it will go through unobstructed. I do have an alternative slightly longer route available as well although I am worried about how much you can bend the fibre. Power is readily available and a suitable mounting position.

I really do appreciate all of your help. I just want to be in an informed position on all fronts so I have a good idea how it will all work when the engineer arrives. I am happy to move to PM. I am new here today. Is there a facility here or do we move to another platform like Whatsapp

I have to leave it tonight as I have avery early start and will pick up again tomorrow.

Re: EE Smart Hub Plus and Wirelesss Extenders

JimM11 — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 21:11:41 GMT

@DavidF9 Link to my posted picture, all fitted internal in the dormer space and fibre off the pole. PM is setting on your profile just switch it on too use.

Re: Full fibre install - The EE Community

Re: EE Smart Hub Plus and Wirelesss Extenders

XRaySpeX — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 21:16:13 GMT

@DavidF9 wrote:

Do they just pick up a DHCP address? I presume in this case wifi will need to be switched on on the router.

No, they can pick up their IP from DHCP of the router over Ethernet.

@DavidF9 wrote:

I am worried about how much you can bend the fibre.

Fibre only goes as far as the ONT. Thereafter it is all Ethernet.

There's PMs here but what's the point of going to PM unless it's private? This is a forum & we are all able to contribute. 2 heads are better than 1!

Re: EE Smart Hub Plus and Wirelesss Extenders

Mustrum — Sun, 01 Jun 2025 21:41:23 GMT

@DavidF9 wrote:

They already have it on their system that it is being delivered off a pole at high level. I plan to sit down and go through the whole setup before we start.

Yes, but that is not the point, the CSP is likely to be at ground level, meaning you would have the fibre being anchored at or near the eaves, running down to ground level, and them being reluctant to run it back up to the eaves. Not to mention getting them to run it under floorboards.

Re: EE Smart Hub Plus and Wirelesss Extenders

DavidF9 — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 17:20:25 GMT

Hi Jim

This is how mine looks currently. What is the box on the left? And where does the cable coming out go to?

I am happy to keep this on the forum as others may benefit.

Re: EE Smart Hub Plus and Wirelesss Extenders

DavidF9 — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 17:24:45 GMT

OK that gives me another option if the fibre bends are too tight, as I have another loft eaves on the side very close to where the cable will enter the house. However I have no power and I will also have to run an ethernet cable across to the other side of the loft where the router and patch panels are. Thanks for your help.

Re: EE Smart Hub Plus and Wirelesss Extenders

DavidF9 — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 17:26:12 GMT

I understand. We will see how I get on

Re: EE Smart Hub Plus and Wirelesss Extenders

JimM11 — Mon, 02 Jun 2025 17:31:02 GMT

@DavidF9 Grey box on the left is the Fibre connection box fitted by OR that would be similar to an outside box but way smaller as it is inside. Not sure what you mean by coming out go, If ethernet you are talking about it goes to my Wan on the router. If it's the Black cable on the Grey box, that is the Fibre off the pole!