topic Re: External (outdoor) mesh node for Smart Hub Pro in Broadband & Landline

External (outdoor) mesh node for Smart Hub Pro

bwatkins — Sat, 23 May 2026 11:41:07 GMT

I live in a small house with a big garden that wraps around the house. My newly installed Smart Hub 7 does a good job inside the house but I've got no signal whatsoever outside. I've already got a PoE switch on the opposite side of the house which would also be the obvious place to install an access point because it's on the corner of the house that the garden wraps around. I can't install an EE extender there because there are no mains sockets and EE extenders don't work with PoE. Plus I need it to be outside to reach the end of the garden.

So my question is, how can I install an external mesh node that is compatible with the Smart Hub 7 and powered by PoE?

I realise that external access points powered by PoE are ten a penny and I could install one tomorrow but I want it to be a mesh network. The reason is that even when outside the external access point is likely to have a stronger signal than the Smart Hub in certain places like the kitchen. I want my devices to seamlessly jump to the strongest point.

I'm fairly clued up on networking but I'm a bit old school. I've got no idea how mesh actually works. All I know is what the marketing rubbish says!

Re: External (outdoor) mesh node for Smart Hub Pro

JimM11 — Sat, 23 May 2026 13:31:07 GMT

@bwatkins Jumping about is what everyone wants, so with the best off wishes just may not happen, but wireless off/on again mobile devices do jump at least! Good luck with your ISP hub 7 Pro/Plus and matching an external AP to the system, but wired sure is your way to go!

TP-Link Omada EAP772-Outdoor Wi-Fi 7 access point review | TechRadar

TP-Link Deco BE25-Outdoor BE3600 Outdoor Wifi Extender for Deco, Weatherproof IP65 Mesh WiFi 7 Router, PoE/AC Power Supply, AI-Driven Seamless Mesh, Alexa/Google Assistant Compatible, HomeShield: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Re: External (outdoor) mesh node for Smart Hub Pro

bwatkins — Sun, 24 May 2026 19:49:42 GMT

Are any aftermarket devices compatible with EE mesh?

Re: External (outdoor) mesh node for Smart Hub Pro

JimM11 — Sun, 24 May 2026 20:10:41 GMT

@bwatkins All depends on what you mean, nothing is going to butt in and work on an existing EE mesh with any success, but did have an AP connected Asus RP-AX58 on a EE Smarthub 6+ until they messed up the FW on the EE hub.

EE Mesh you need to really use all the EE and Smart extenders to have any/some success TP-Link outdoor 2nd one say's works with any ISP and wired back to the EE hub, you will have no issues matching the SSID/Password to obtain the seamless roaming you are after.

Re: External (outdoor) mesh node for Smart Hub Pro

bwatkins — Mon, 25 May 2026 08:25:26 GMT

Thanks. I know from previous experience that setting up a second AP with the same SSID if fraught with problems. That's why I really wanted something compatible with the EE router mesh. But it seems that's just impossible. I suppose my only choice is to switch the EE router in to gateway only and use a 3rd party system which I was trying to avoid.

Re: External (outdoor) mesh node for Smart Hub Pro

JimM11 — Mon, 25 May 2026 10:16:18 GMT

@bwatkins Yes EE do not do any Out Door AP's like you are trying to do, not much off a gamble you can always send it back if problems, purchase from the likes of Amazon and there returns is good for problems, this would be one to try as at least wifi 7 operation and dropped the 6Ghz band so 2.4/5 combined and really should be fast enough in an outdoor situation.