EE Broadband

Using the same network infrastructure as parent company, BT, EE’s broadband service is not only widely available, but competitively priced. It also offers some attractive benefits for existing customers on their mobile network. Let’s take a look.

Overview 

Average Download Speeds	10Mbps – 900Mbps
Average Upload Speeds	1Mbps – 110Mbps
Broadband Type	ADSL & Fibre (FTTC/FTTP)
Home Phone	Yes
TV/Entertainment Bundles	Yes
Prices from	£24 per month

Broadband speeds and packages 

EE’s base broadband package – a standard ADSL connection – has average download speeds of 10Mbps. This would be an good option for individuals or a one-to-two people who use the internet for little more than checking emails and general web browsing. ADSL connections rely on copper phone lines running from the exchange to your home, and therefore not only require an active phone line, but are often slower when compared with fibre broadband. If you don’t have already have a phone line, EE will install one for a one-off fee of £10, whereafter line rental is included in the cost of your broadband.

Next is EE’s Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) packages. With FTTC, or ‘superfast broadband’ as it is commonly referred – copper cables run from the green cabinet in the street to your home. – and as such, will generally provide a faster and more reliable connection. BT’s FTTC packages have two options: – ‘Fibre’ with average download speeds of 36Mbps, and ‘Fibre Plus’ with download rates of 67Mbps.

EE’s first FTTC package with 36Mbps in download speeds, is able to support three-to-four devices, and where the internet is being used for activities such as streaming TV shows and movies in standard definition and downloading large files while working from home.

‘Fibre Plus’ gives average download speeds of 67Mbps and is an ideal choice for larger families (5+), or for families and those in shared accommodation who want to get online at the same time throughout the day to partake in activities such as streaming content in HD, play game online, or download large swathes of files at once.

EE Full Fibre (FTTP)

Although slow with its rollout, EE has begun offering ultrafast ‘Fibre to the Premises’ (FTTP) broadband. Compared to FTTC, full fibre uses only fibre optic cables (no copper wires), making it the fastest and most reliable type of broadband available in the UK.

EE offers three FTTP options: Full Fibre Max 100, 500, and 900. As each option suggests, download speeds range from 100Mbps all the way up to 900Mbps. Regardless of choice, these speeds are lightning-fast and ideal for families or shared accommodations connecting many devices simultaneously. It’s also suited to those who enjoy streaming content in 4K UHD resolution and for serious online gamers who can’t afford issues with high latency (lag).

Contract length and annual price change

EE offers its standard ADSL broadband plan on either a 12 or 24 month contract. All fibre and full fibre options are for 24 months.

All EE’s broadband packages are subject to annual price changes which means prices will increase on or after the 31^st of March each year, regardless of how far into your contract you are.

Home phone packages

If you’d like to use a home phone for calls, EE offers both a pay-as-you-go option – where you’ll pay for each call you make at EE’s standard rate – and two call plans:-

Package	Includes	Price per month
Anytime Calls	Unlimited calls to UK landlines and 1500 minutes to UK mobiles	£9.13
Anytime UK & International Calls	Unlimited calls to UK landlines, 1500 minutes to UK mobiles, 30% discount when calling international landlines.	£13.70

TV Bundles

EE offers a TV option which can be added-on to any of the standard fibre (FTTC) and full fibre (FTTP) packages. For £15 a month you’ll receive an Apple TV 4K set-top box which includes a free 3 month subscription to Apple TV+, as well as access to on-demand apps such as BBC iPlayer and ITV Hub. You can also connect to streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime, but subscriptions to these services is not included.

A BT Sports option is also available for an additional fee.

Bonuses for existing EE customers

If you’re an existing EE mobile customer and sign up for one of their broadband packages, you’ll be offered a number of perks which includes:-

• A 10% discount off the cost of your monthly bill
• Up to 20GB of free mobile data each month.
• A free Xbox Game Pass Ultimate with EE Fibre Max 500 and 900

Upload speeds

BT’s standard ADSL broadband package has an average upload speed of 1Mbps, which by today’s standard is considered quite low.

Upload speeds on the standard fibre (FTTC) packages are higher; with 9Mbps for the base option, and 18Mbps for the ‘Fibre Plus’ package.

To give you an idea of what upload speeds mean, if you’re someone who regularly shares content on platforms such as YouTube, uploading a 1GB (1 gigabyte) video file would take around 2.5 hours to complete at 1Mbps, or about 16 minutes on 9Mbps.

Router

EE provides all new customers with a free router, but the type of router you receive wil depend on the broadband package you select.

Standard ADSL customers will get the EE BRight Box 1, which has four ethernet ports and a built-in dual-band antenna.

Meanwhile, all fibre broadband customers will get the Smart Hub – the same router offered by parent company. BT, with their own packages. The Smart Hub features seven internal Wi-Fi antennas to allow for greater range and stability. It also contains a setting to allow when certain devices can access it. This is a great feature for parents who want more control over when their child can get online.

Installation

Signing up for a broadband package with EE can be done in-store, online or over the phone. If you’re not yet an existing EE customer, you’ll be given the opportunity to create a ‘My EE account’ where you can track your broadband order.

Installation is fairly hassle-free, with no need for a house visit from an engineer. Instructions on how to connect your W-Fi will be included with your free router which will arrive in the post.

Once your broadband is activated, EE will fine-tune your line over the course of one-to-two weeks to ensure you’re getting the fastest and most reliable connection available for your area. During this period, speed fluctuations and connection drop-outs are reportedly common.

Customer service

Customer service from EE is available in-store or over the phone, with call cenrres located in Ireland and the UK. Phone lines are open Monday thru Friday from 8am-9pm and 8am – 8pm on weekends, 365 days of the year. EE also runs an online forum where community members can post questions, with responses coming from other users as well as EE team members.

If you require technical support, you can text ‘HELP’ to 60071 from your mobile which will then prompt EE to run a test on your connection. From there, depending on the issue EE will either book you in for an appointment with one of their engineersor have a member of their support team reach out to troubleshoot your broadband issues.

According to Ofcom’s 2022 customer service data, EE accrues around 20 complaints per 100,000 customers, with call wait times for service being under a minute and an overall customer satisfaction rating of 85%.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Bonuses for EE customers:-

If you’re an existing EE mobile customer, EE offers some attractive bonuses to sign up with them for broadband. Not least of all 10% off the cost of your bill each month.

Value for money:-

EE offers competitively-priced broadband packages, and as one of the biggest broadband providers in the UK, it’s very likely you’ll be able to access their services.

Cons

Limited TV bundle:-

Compared to its parent company, BT, the TV package on offer from EE is quite limited, with little more than an Apple set-top box with Freeview channels embedded. For those who really enjoy their entertainment, this may be a bit limiting in terms of choice and value-for-money.