Poor Range of EE Smart Hub Plus 6

[Barlayde]

Hi. I was recently forced to switch from Plusnet to EE for my broadband service as I needed to keep the landline for my elderly mum to use. 
The router had to be located near the front of the bungalow in the corner of our living room rather than in the hallway to save running cabling along skirting boards and over doorways, but it’s only 3 or 4 metres difference. 
The broadband connection is fine and solid with no issues but the range is very poor compared to my old Plusnet router. I keep noticing my mobile is disconnected from WiFi.  Is the Smart Hub Plus 6 known for poor signal range? I’m a little annoyed at having to pay a monthly charge for an extender when our property isn’t that big and single-level. Will any other non-EE extenders work well with this router?

Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

[JimM11]

@Barlayde Other third party ones will work, you just have to find one that does, also if you wish to outright buy an EE one then Flea bay, just be sure to get the one to match your 6+ hub, the SW30A.

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

Device Help | EE

[Barlayde]

Cheers Jim. Looks like other brands aren’t a reliable option for EE. 

Perhaps EE intentionally limits the range of their hubs to get customers to add on extenders or change to a tariff that includes multiple, as I’ve read quite a few reports that Plusnet and BT ones perform better. 

[JimM11]

@Barlayde There is a slight tail off signal strength because of wifi 6 specification where all the PN/BT ones are wifi 5 devices.

Plus not knowing what devices you have in use, makes guessing impossible, EE does NOT limit the range of the 6+ hub at all there are just NOT two that are like for like. The BT Smart Hub 2, twin brother to the PN one you had, but with a working DV ATA interface for the landline, plenty off those going about third party as well, another option for you to look at.

I used the Asus RP-AX58 connected with a little faff at the start for 11months on a 6+ Hub, but some do say the Tp-Link's work and connect, the easiest would be the matching EE, but that does tie it down to only ever working with an EE Hub.

[Barlayde]

Comparison of performance is I used to be able to sit in the far corner of our back garden and get a WiFi connection. Never any dropouts within the bungalow itself at all. Always full. Now I am losing connection within the property and no service at all once I step through the back door which is a considerable drop in performance. Only device in use is my iPhone 14.  Neither smart TV’s or laptops on. I don’t mind adding an extender as such I am just struggling to understand such a difference in range. Appreciate the support. 

[JimM11]

@Barlayde BT Smart Hub 2, would be what you want to get then.