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.

[bobpullen]

@Barlayde - it's not really a fair comparison as the physical location of your hub has changed. Yes, there are some factors that can influence range like channel width (the EE hubs are faster and operate at wider channel widths), but it's marginal.

Recognise the hub has only been located a few metres but WiFi is a fickle beast at the best of times. Don't suppose you still have your old Plusnet router as it could be configured to for the EE service? The phone wouldn't work but it would serve as a litmus test of the impact the relocation has had.

Running cabling may seem arduous but it can save a bunch of headache for relatively little effort. I have a cable run trailing skirting and doorways from a utility cupboard next to my front door up to an upstairs office and I barely notice it's there. I'm using flat cabling and pinning it with clear adhesive cable clips. All pretty non-instrusive. 

[JimM11]

@bobpullen Does the PN 2 hub allow you to go set the BT credentials to get on the service, was not sure off that fact. Did pick up on the opening statement and did not wish to upset the apple cart with the Hub position, Central location to now Stuck in the corner off the home because a potential FF upgrade may have happened at the same time. Some do think 3-4 Meters is nothing, can be a whole room to far.

[bobpullen]

@JimM11 - yes, it allows you to disconnect the PPP session and overwrite the username etc. There is some validation in terms of what you can/can't enter but it allows use of the default BT credentials.

[JimM11]

@bobpullen Thanks for the reply.👍