topic Mesh in Broadband & Landline

Mesh

EvoSTeAkK73 — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 17:55:07 GMT

Hi all

I have always ran a mesh system for better coverage on all of my WiFi networks. The area that I've just moved to doesn't have fibre until later in the year so I'm stuck with slow speeds for now so I wanted to run a mesh again due to dead spots. The salesperson told me I could run a mesh as I normally did on the equipment I would receive but googling tells me that the EE hub cannot be changed to modem mode and I have to use a more complicated Access point setup and the WiFi may not be as strong further away from the main router.

Can anyone confirm if the salesperson was correct or if I need to run access point mode and put up with poor signal. I'm currently away so just trying to understand what my options are before I'm back home.

Many thanks

Re: Mesh

JimM11 — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 18:13:08 GMT

@EvoSTeAkK73 Do you need or are you doing a DV Digital Voice landline with the service that you are getting?

Re: Mesh

EvoSTeAkK73 — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 18:16:40 GMT

Hi. No landlines, just basic WiFi until fibre is installed to my area in Q3

Re: Mesh

JimM11 — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 18:21:02 GMT

@EvoSTeAkK73 Then it all depends on what you wish to do with your current mesh system, the EE Hub will be needed for the fttc cable connection unless your current mesh has a VDSL modem already, you give no information so it's not easy to say.

Do you wish to Route or do you wish to AP your router/mesh?

Re: Mesh

XRaySpeX — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 18:21:34 GMT

It is correct that EE routers have no modem-only mode. So your mesh would need to be connected as an AP.

Re: Mesh

EvoSTeAkK73 — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 18:27:21 GMT

Hi Jim. Sorry I am not completely savvy with all of this.

With my VM hub I would put it into modem mode, install my mesh and it would solve my dead spot issues. It was very simple and gave excellent results

My understanding via the internet is that i cannot do this with an EE hub as simply as this and I would need to run in access point mode which reduces my WiFi signal as I go further away from the main unit.

I'm just trying to understand if the latter option is going to help my wifi coverage at all or if I am barking up the wrong tree trying to improve the signal

Re: Mesh

JimM11 — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 18:49:22 GMT

@EvoSTeAkK73 You are wrong AP mode on the mesh does not reduce the wireless wifi signal, all it does is take away all off the good parts that your existing Mesh system has, that you need to look at make a decision or ditch the EE Supplied hub and get a VDSL Modem from the likes of Tp-Link/draytek etc with modem mode operation short term until your FF is installed.

You can be brave, wan/lan connect your mesh and route that way, even place your main connection in the EE DMZ and bypass the firewall and allow your own router to take care off everything.

Look at your Mesh System user manual whoever you use, they will have an explanation for various ways to connect.

Wan connection on your mesh to the EE Lan connection you are Routing.

Lan connection on your mesh to the EE Lan connection you need to be changing your Mesh to AP Mode of operation.

Re: Mesh

EvoSTeAkK73 — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 04:37:30 GMT

Thanks Jim. So I can just replace the EE router with my own....not sure why I didn't think of that. Something like the TP link Archer would suffice I assume. Thank you

Re: Mesh

JimM11 — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 06:39:50 GMT

@EvoSTeAkK73 One off the range will see what has a Modem Mode operation in it when i get a little time this morning.

DSL Modems & Routers | TP-Link United Kingdom

How to set up my TP-Link modem router as a pure modem

How Do I Use My Own Router for EE Home Broadband? | Broadband Help | EE

Part Fibre is your connection type if using a FTTC copper connection those are normally three packages from EE with max 80/20Mb/s depending on how far the address is from the street box.

Re: Mesh

EvoSTeAkK73 — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 06:40:11 GMT

I've had a look and it seems for a good budget one whilst I wait for fibre the Draytek vigor 167 will fit the bill

Re: Mesh

JimM11 — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 06:56:58 GMT

@EvoSTeAkK73 Since as you say it may be on only for a short period one from the Flea market, i would honestly just use the EE hub zero cost involved, and wan/lan connect your Master Mesh unit up, the double Nat may cause you zero problems until you try it all. Going to let you do the check, see the 166 does Bridge mode, but too many to look at.

DrayTek Vigor - ADSL Routers Firewalls UTM VoIP IP PBX and Networking Products

The reason i do not recommend anything, the skill level of the OP has to come into play, some can and others just cannot, plus not here to support getting a Modem on a connection, been there before have done this for 45+ years it's just so easy 2nd nature and takes about 5 mins for me to set up and get working.