More information has slipped about EE's upcoming WiFi router including an image of the back of the unit and its accompanying signal booster. The Smart Hub Pro will be the company's new flagship device, designed to deliver its multi-gigabit broadband packages through your home.
The WiFi 7 classification means it offers a third 6Ghz channel (in addition to the 2.4GHz and 5Ghz). This third channel was also available from WiFi 6E, but on WiFi 7, it has double the bandwidth (320MHz) to cope with even more data at once.
EE's current top router, the Smart Hub Plus is a WiFi 6 device that supports up to 190 devices at any one time. While this uses Gaming and Work modes to prioritise traffic, a WiFi 7 router will be able to offer top speeds to even more devices at once.
The picture of the back of the new Smart Hub Pro reveals a very similar array of ports and buttons as before, with one notable exception. There's no DSL broadband port for copper (non-fibre) connections. That means the Smart Hub Pro will only be available for dedicated fibre services, which makes sense as copper broadband services won't be able to make use of the extra speed.
Each port and button has brail next to it, allowing for easier operation by partially sighted users. I also like that the unit sits taller and thinner, meaning it takes up less space on your surfaces.
The booster hub, which appears to be called the Smart WiFi Pro is likely to mirror the abilities of the current Smart WiFi Plus unit, which is a Mesh node that not only extends the signal, but has its own physical LAN ports to connect local devices in other rooms.
It's not clear from the images whether the LAN ports on the Smart Hub Pro or the Smart WiFi Pro have been upgraded from the 1Gig ones on the Plus models to make full use of that current 1.6Gbs top speed. It would be nice if it offered the faster 2.5Gbps ports but we'll have to wait for more info closer to release to find out.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
As T3's Editor-in-Chief, Mat Gallagher has his finger on the pulse for the latest advances in technology. He has written about technology since 2003 and after stints in Beijing, Hong Kong and Chicago is now based in the UK. He’s a true lover of gadgets, but especially anything that involves cameras, Apple, electric cars, musical instruments or travel.
-
When is Black Friday 2024 – this Friday or next? Here's the official answer
Black Friday is on 29 November in 2024 – a week later than the year previous. But that's not stopped retailers putting on their sales...
By Mike Lowe Published
-
Forget Black Friday, F1 24 is completely free for a limited time
This top racing game has a free weekend
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
EE Smart Hub Plus wireless router review: a smarter way to manage home internet
EE’s flagship hub provides great coverage through the home and manage your connections
By Mat Gallagher Published
-
OnePlus 7 Pro 5G is the fastest 5G smartphone money can buy
Commiserations to the Galaxy S10 5G and LG V50 ThinQ 5G
By Aaron Brown Published
-
Samsung building a 5G-enabled Galaxy smartphone that costs less than £1,099
Flagship feature, mid-range price
By Aaron Brown Published
-
5G UK review: OnePlus 7 Pro 5G on EE 5G feels like the future is nearly here
Putting the "EE" in speed
By Aaron Brown Published
-
OnePlus 7 Pro 5G is the first 5G-enabled phone in the UK, and has a price to match
Getting the first 5G-enabled handset in the UK will cost you
By Aaron Brown Published
-
EE 5G network launches TODAY, prices start from £32 a month
EE has become the first network to launch 5G in the UK
By Aaron Brown Published