What is the EE Smart Hub 7 Max router?
EE 8Gbps broadband now has its own router. ISPreview reports that EE has detailed the new Smart Hub 7 Max, which is about to start shipping with orders for the 8Gbps package. Until now, early customers on EE 8Gbps broadband were sent a temporary router from a different manufacturer because EE’s own model was not ready.
Here is what ISPreview lists for the Smart Hub 7 Max. Treat it as the specification as reported, because EE’s own Advanced Full Fibre page does not yet name the router or list its specification.
- WiFi 7, covering the 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz bands.
- 10Gbps Ethernet on the WAN port and at least one LAN port, with the remaining LAN ports at 2.5Gbps. ISPreview’s text and table give slightly different port counts, so check with EE before ordering if port speeds matter to you.
- Support for mesh WiFi with EE’s WiFi Extender 7 Pro, and for EE TV and digital voice.
- A connectivity backup feature, and an integrated password card.
The EE Smart Hub 7 Pro, which customers on the slower 2.3Gbps package already receive, looks very similar from outside. The difference is that the new Max model supports 10Gbps Ethernet.
Who can get EE 8Gbps broadband right now?
Very few people, and that is the honest headline. ISPreview says the service sits on Openreach’s pilot of 10Gbps capable full fibre using XGS-PON technology, and coverage is still limited. It expects the service to reach around 1 million premises by August 2027, and later to cover a third of Openreach’s full fibre network over five years. EE’s own website says its 8 Gigabit and 2.3 Gigabit packages are being rolled out in Guildford, Woking and the surrounding areas.
EE is the only retail provider selling packages on the new technology at the moment. ISPreview says other providers are expected to wait until Openreach’s new speed tiers leave the pilot phase, and will also need to upgrade their own capacity links first.
So before you get excited about EE 8Gbps broadband, check whether your address is covered at all. Our guide to full fibre coverage on your street shows how to do that.
Do you need EE 8Gbps broadband at home?
Probably not, and that is nothing to be embarrassed about. A faster package is not the same as a faster experience, because the ceiling in most homes is set by what is on the other end of the connection, not by the line.
Think about the chain. Your devices need to support the speeds, your WiFi needs to carry them, and anything plugged in by cable needs a port that can keep up. Not every Ethernet port on the Smart Hub 7 Max runs at 10Gbps, so only the kit connected to the fastest ports could use the top end.
Many phones, laptops and TVs will not get anywhere near these speeds. Our guide on 10Gbps broadband explains what those headline numbers do and do not mean, and our look at whether a Wi-Fi 7 router is worth upgrading to covers the wireless side.
Key takeaways
- EE 8Gbps broadband has a new Smart Hub 7 Max router, according to ISPreview.
- Coverage is limited because the service is still in Openreach’s pilot.
- Check your address, your devices and your WiFi before you pay for a faster tier.
How did EE 8Gbps broadband get here?
ISPreview says EE announced its 2.3Gbps and 8Gbps packages in July 2026, built on Openreach’s ongoing pilot of 10Gbps capable full fibre. The 8Gbps launch was a little hobbled at first, because EE did not yet have its own router ready for the top tier.
That gap is what the Smart Hub 7 Max fills. It is a reminder that EE 8Gbps broadband is still an early product on a network that is itself still being tested, so details can change as the pilot develops.
For wider context, ISPreview notes that Openreach’s full fibre network covers around 24 million premises today. Openreach aims to reach 25 million, which is over 80% of the UK, by the end of 2026, with a tentative ambition of up to 30 million by 2030, subject to the right conditions. Those are ISPreview’s figures for Openreach’s plans, not promises about your street.
What should you check before ordering EE 8Gbps broadband?
Treat it like any other broadband decision, and do not let the big number do your thinking for you. These are the checks worth making first.
- Coverage. Confirm EE 8Gbps broadband is actually available at your address, not just in your area.
- Price and term. EE lists the 8 Gigabit package at £74.99 a month on a 24 month contract. The price rises to £78.99 a month from 31 March 2027 and £82.99 a month from 31 March 2028. Check for any upfront cost on the order page, and compare the full contract cost, not just the first month.
- Your kit. Work out how many of your devices could use more than a gigabit, if any. Cables, adapters and WiFi standards all matter.
- The alternatives. Slower full fibre packages from other providers may do the same everyday jobs. Comparing them side by side takes a couple of minutes.
If you are still deciding whether to move to fibre at all, our guide to whether you should upgrade to full fibre is a good place to start. The Do Nothing Default quietly costs people money here too, so it is worth a look even if EE 8Gbps broadband is not for you.
Frequently asked questions about EE 8Gbps broadband
- Is the Smart Hub 7 Max available now?
- ISPreview says it is about to start shipping with orders for the 8Gbps package. EE’s broadband page does not yet name the router, so check with EE which router your order would come with and when it would be delivered.
- Is EE the only provider selling 8Gbps broadband on Openreach?
- ISPreview says EE is currently the only retail provider selling packages on Openreach’s new 10Gbps capable technology. Others are expected to wait until the pilot ends.
- What router did the 2.3Gbps package come with?
- ISPreview says customers on the 2.3Gbps package received EE’s existing Smart Hub 7 Pro router.
- Does EE 8Gbps broadband work with mesh WiFi?
- The Smart Hub 7 Max supports mesh WiFi with EE’s WiFi Extender 7 Pro, according to the specification ISPreview lists.
- How much does EE 8Gbps broadband cost?
- EE lists it at £74.99 a month on a 24 month contract, rising to £78.99 from 31 March 2027 and £82.99 from 31 March 2028. Prices were correct when we checked EE’s website in October 2026.
Read the original report at ISPreview for the full specification table.
