topic Re: Linking devices by Ethernet in Broadband & Landline

Linking devices by Ethernet

Lundavra — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 08:13:32 GMT

Is there any advantage in connecting the Smart Hybrid Connect and Smart WiFi to the Smart Hub using Ethernet leads?

I always feel that a hard wired connection is more reliable than a WiFi one and the WiFi connection is still there in the background.

Re: Linking devices by Ethernet

JimM11 — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 09:46:15 GMT

@Lundavra It sure would be the best way to do it, the 4g unit is only to connect and send it all over the mobile network, the Main EE Hub is the one that does all the work and that is were the wifi/Ethernet connections all still live. A lot will depend on were the Hybrid is required to be placed to get the signal and then how much Ethernet cable is required to connect both the devices. The Hybrid will only have a Max 1Gb/s Ethernet port.

Same applies to your Smart Wireless unit and it now becomes a wired backhaul mesh running at the speed over the Ethernet cable, 2.5Gb/s on the Pro and possible the same depending on which port they are using on a 7 Plus hub as there is just the one 2.5Gb/s Lan port on that.

Testing is still the same, removal off the DSL/Wan connection and the Hybrid / Main EE hub switch over to operate on the Mobile connection.

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Re: Linking devices by Ethernet

Lundavra — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 09:46:44 GMT

At the moment they are sitting on a bookcase in the hall so easy to link them together using Ethernet cables.

Still thinking about moving the WiFi unit but no real advantage but I can see potential advantages in getting some of the data traffic onto a cable (not that I am in a particularly 'busy' area).

I have not got around to testing the switch to the 4G backup yet.

Re: Linking devices by Ethernet

JimM11 — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 09:56:36 GMT

@Lundavra Take it you mean the EE Hub and the Hybrid are sitting together, the Smart Wireless mesh will be away from both the devices if indeed it is required to be used and you have a poor wifi signal somewhere.

As long as your hybrid is showing you good blue bars for the 4g connection internal then you are correct not much need to be moved, speeds are down at the low end ie 30/5 Mb/s or so Down/Up as there to keep minimal Internet connection to the system.

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