Your guide to EE Broadband packages
EE Broadband has come such a long way in the past few years, going from just another BT-owned broadband brand (say that three times quickly) to what we reckon is the best nationally available broadband provider. Of course, 'best' is subjective, and the high-end equipment, features and ripping speeds aren't going to be suited to everyone.
Nevertheless, with Full Fibre speeds of 1.6Gbps available as well as the high-tier equipment needed to run those speeds efficiently (the only Wi-Fi 7 router supplied by a UK provider), coupled with the best gaming and working from home features of any provider, its offering is all but unmatched at the top end.
That's not to say EE Broadband is only for the enthusiast. There are many package levels that offers something less cutting edge. If you're here you've probably already decided EE Broadband is a candidate for your household, so let's tie up those loose ends by covering what it offers.
Key features
- Variety of packages – EE offers a range of broadband packages, including Full Fibre options with speeds up to 1.6Gbps
- Smart Hub Plus with Wi-Fi 7 – EE is the only major provider offering a Wi-Fi 7 router, the Smart Hub Plus, which comes as standard with its fastest packages or as an optional upgrade
- Complete Wi-Fi coverage – Smart Wi-Fi Plus extends your Wi-Fi signal around the home using extra Wi-Fi discs, helping to eliminate weak spots
- Game Mode – A setting on the Smart Hub Plus that reduces lag and prioritises gaming traffic for a more responsive connection
- Work Mode – Helps keep video calls and work apps running smoothly by making sure they get priority on your network
- Parental controls – Lets you manage internet access for different devices and set filters to block certain types of content
- UK-based customer support – EE’s customer service team is based in the UK and available 24/7
- EE app management – Control your Wi-Fi, see which devices are connected, and change settings easily with the EE app
EE Game Mode explained
This particular feature deserves its own full explanation since no other provider really offers anything like it.
EE’s Game Mode is built into the Smart Hub Plus router and is designed to improve online gaming performance. When enabled, it reduces lag, prioritises gaming traffic, and helps connect you to the best available servers for a more stable experience. It aims to minimise delays and interruptions and is particularly useful for online FPS games where fast reactions are critical.
Game Mode is available on EE’s faster Full Fibre packages and works automatically when gaming traffic is detected, though you can adjust settings manually in the EE app if needed.
EE Broadband speeds and pricing
There are nine different EE Broadband packages to choose from, most with a different average download speed, but two at the top end that offer slightly different features depending on your intended use. Let's take a look at each.
| Broadband Package | Download Speed | Upload Speed | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Fibre 36 Essentials | 37Mbps | 10Mbps | £29.99 per month |
| Full Fibre 50 Essentials | 51Mbps | 10Mbps | £29.99 per month |
| Full Fibre 74 Essentials | 74Mbps | 20Mbps | £25.99 per month |
| Full Fibre 150 Essentials | 149Mbps | 30Mbps | £30.99 per month |
| Full Fibre 300 Essentials | 308Mbps | 51Mbps | £30.99 per month |
| Full Fibre 500 Essentials | 500Mbps | 73Mbps | £39.99 per month |
| Full Fibre Gigabit Essentials | 900Mbps | 110Mbps | £40.99 per month |
| Busiest Home Bundle | 1.6Gbps | 115Mbps | £64.99 per month |
| Made for Gamers | 1.6Gbps | 115Mbps | £79.99 per month |
As with any type of service, you can find out if EE Broadband – either Standard Fibre or Full Fibre – is available where you live by using our quick postcode checker.
"If you're a hardcore gamer, a home worker with high bandwidth needs, or just someone who needs the bleeding edge in terms of speed, equipment and features, EE Broadband is now the undisputed king among the national broadband providers. Those who don't need its cutting-edge features may want to opt for one of its lower-tier packages or choose from any of a host of other provider options however."
Dan Howdle, Broadband and mobile expert
EE Broadband packages
EE offers nine different broadband packages, but only eight different speeds. Unlike BT, but like most other providers, it no longer offers ADSL broadband, even to households that can't get anything else. So if you're living in a cairn on a mountainside and you can't get any sort of fibre broadband, BT or TalkTalk are going to be your best bets. Here's a rundown of the speeds EE Broadband offers.
Full Fibre 36 | Fibre and Full Fibre 50 | Fibre 67 and Full Fibre 74 | Full Fibre 150 | Full Fibre 300 Full Fibre 500 | Full Fibre 900 | Busiest Home and Made For Gamers
EE Full Fibre 36 Essentials
EE Full Fibre 36 Essentials is EE's slowest broadband package, and interestingly, it's Full Fibre, with no Standard Fibre equivalent. With average download speeds of 37Mbps, it’s a good fit for smaller households or individuals who mainly browse the web, check emails and watch the odd bit of streamed telly. If you have multiple people streaming and gaming at once, you will probably need something faster.
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37Mb average speed
- Unlimited monthly downloads
- Zero one-off cost
- 24 month contract
- No phone line
EE Full Fibre 50 Essentials
With a slight bump to 51Mbps, EE Full Fibre 50 Essentials is a good choice for small households that want a smoother experience when streaming, browsing, and taking video calls. It’s still an entry-level package, but it offers enough for two or three people to use the internet without major slowdowns.
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51Mb average speed
- Unlimited monthly downloads
- Zero one-off cost
- 24 month contract
- No phone line
EE Full Fibre 67 and Full Fibre 74 Essentials
These two packages sit at the same price point, but the one you’re offered will depend on what’s available at your address. The 67Mbps package is delivered over Standard Fibre, while the 74Mbps package uses Full Fibre, offering a more reliable connection with less latency.
Either way, this is a good spec for medium-sized households with multiple devices streaming, making video calls, and doing the occasional bit of gaming. If Full Fibre 74 is available to you, it’s a better option since it removes the reliability issues that can come with older Standard Fibre.
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74Mb average speed
- Unlimited monthly downloads
- Zero one-off cost
- 24 month contract
- No phone line
EE Full Fibre 150 Essentials
Jumping up to 149Mbps, EE Full Fibre 150 Essentials is well suited to busier households where multiple people are using the internet at the same time. It can handle 4K streaming, online gaming, and home working without issue. The package runs exclusively on EE’s Full Fibre network, so there’s no landline included. If you still need a home phone, you’ll need to consider adding a digital voice service separately.
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149Mb average speed
- Unlimited monthly downloads
- £11.99 one-off cost
- 24 month contract
- No phone line
EE Full Fibre 300 Essentials
With average speeds of 308Mbps, this speed is getting on to being more suited to larger households, where multiple people are streaming in 4K, gaming, or working from home at the same time. It offers plenty of bandwidth to ensure a smooth experience across all connected devices. Like all EE Full Fibre packages, this one does not include a landline.
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308Mb average speed
- Unlimited monthly downloads
- Zero one-off cost
- 24 month contract
- No phone line
EE Full Fibre 500 Essentials
Offering 500Mbps on average, this package is aimed at households that demand high-speed internet with few compromises. It’s well suited to those who work from home, game online, and regularly download or upload large files.
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500Mb average speed
- Unlimited monthly downloads
- £11.99 one-off cost
- 24 month contract
- No phone line
EE Full Fibre Gigabit Essentials
For those who need truly rip-roaring speed, EE Full Fibre Gigabit Essentials offers average speeds of 900Mbps. This is ideal for power users, large families, and those running a home office with high data demands. At this speed, you can comfortably stream, game, and download without any lag or slowdown, even with multiple devices connected at once.
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900Mb average speed
- Unlimited monthly downloads
- Zero one-off cost
- 24 month contract
- No phone line
EE Busiest Home and Made for Gamers
These two top-tier packages both offer EE’s fastest speeds at 1.6Gbps – or 'the overkill packages' as we like to call them.
Busiest Home is designed for large households where multiple people are streaming, gaming, and working online all at the same time. It comes with EE’s best Wi-Fi 7 router, Smart Hub Plus, an average speed og 1.6Gbps and a speed guarantee of at least 1.3Gbps.
Made for Gamers takes things a step further by adding Game Mode, which prioritises gaming traffic, reduces lag, and ensures the best connection to game servers. It also includes an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription at the time of writing.
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1.6Gb average speed
- Unlimited monthly downloads
- Zero one-off cost
- 24 month contract
- No phone line
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1.6Gb average speed
- Unlimited monthly downloads
- Zero one-off cost
- 24 month contract
- No phone line
Broadband bundles
EE isn't just about broadband. You can bundle it with a bunch of other services to get everything you need in one place. Whether you want to add a home phone, a TV package, or even boost your mobile data, EE has you covered.
- EE broadband only – If you just want an internet connection without any extras, EE offers standalone broadband packages
- EE broadband and phone – While EE broadband doesn’t come with a phone line by default, you can add a digital home phone service if you still need to make landline calls. Call plans include pay-as-you-go, unlimited calls to UK landlines, or unlimited calls to UK landlines plus 1,500 minutes to UK mobiles
- EE broadband and EE TV – EE TV is available as an add-on for EE broadband customers. It includes Freeview channels and the option to bolt on NOW memberships for Sky channels, as well as TNT Sports for more live sport
- EE Broadband and Sky Stream – In a rather unusual move, EE now allows you to bundle Sky Stream with your EE Broadband deal. We have to say, we would choose this over EE TV, but both options have their merits
- EE broadband and mobile benefits – If you're an EE mobile customer, bundling with EE broadband can get you extra perks, like a monthly data boost for your phone
- EE broadband, TV, and phone – For a complete package, EE lets you combine broadband, TV, and digital home phone services under one bill
To get EE TV, you must be an EE broadband customer. It’s not available as a standalone service.
EE Broadband versus major providers
EE Broadband has it all to itself at the top end of the market, with unmatched technology and features. But for those not opting for the top tier there are plenty of other providers looking to snag you as a customer. Below is a broad comparison of what is offered by the competition, and you can of course use our comprehensive postcode checker for a far more detailed comparison.
| Provider | Speed range | Customer service satisfaction | Extra features | Contract length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BT Broadband | 10Mbps to 900Mbps | 83% | Complete Wi-Fi, Digital Voice, Halo for extra features | 24 months |
| Plusnet | 66Mbps to 910Mbps | 89% | Smart wireless, good range, family-friendly features | 24 months |
| Sky Broadband | 61Mbps to 900Mbps | 82% | Wi-Fi guarantee, Sky Shield security, parental controls | 24 months |
| TalkTalk | 67Mbps to 900Mbps | 78% | HomeSafe security, future-proof Wi-Fi 6 options | 18 months |
| Virgin Media | 54Mbps to 2Gbps | 81% | Intelligent Wi-Fi, security features, child-friendly filters | 18 months |
| Vodafone Broadband | 35Mbps to 1.6Gbps | 83% | Pro Broadband with mesh extenders, 4G backup | 24 months |
Customer satisfaction source: Ofcom
Buying tips and advice
When considering EE Broadband, it's essential to evaluate your household's usage to get the right package. EE offers a wide variety of options, from Standard Fibre (where you can't get Full Fibre) to ultrafast Full Fibre packages.
Installation and setup
Most EE broadband packages are designed for self-installation, allowing you to set them up independently if there's an active broadband connection at your address. However, if you're switching from another provider or upgrading to Full Fibre for the first time, an engineer visit may be necessary. EE will inform you if an installation is required when you place your order.
Contract length and price changes
EE broadband deals come with a 24-month contract, which is long in our opinion but is also simply the way the wind is blowing. Be aware that EE applies annual price increases each April. Recent Ofcom regulations require broadband providers to be more transparent about mid-contract price rises, which is why you'll now see those next to the headline pricing.
Renewing or switching
If you're already with EE and approaching the end of your contract, don't just accept the standard renewal price. Contact EE to see if you can negotiate a better deal. Loyal customers ready to renew their contract often receive discounts, especially if you mention superior competitor offers. Just be sure those other deals you mention match what you're after at least for speed if nothing else. You may be out of luck if you're already on the top 1.6Gbps speed as you likely won't get that from anywhere else, and EE knows it.
Bundling broadband with EE TV and phone
EE broadband can be bundled with EE TV and a landline phone service. If you're interested in watching premium TV channels, EE TV comes with both standard and optional, premium NOW memberships for access to Sky's content, as well as TNT Sports for more live sports coverage. Bundling services can sometimes be more cost-effective than purchasing them separately, but do remember that you can get Sky Stream on its own or even bundled in with EE Broadband now.
Upfront costs
EE often waives setup fees, but this depends on the package and any promotional offers available at the time. You may need to pay a one-off activation fee, especially if you need a new line set up, so it's worth checking before you sign up. EE also sometimes requires a small upfront payment to verify your payment details, which is then refunded on your first bill.
EE broadband routers
When you sign up for EE Broadband, you'll receive a router tailored to your chosen package. This basically breaks down to getting an EE Smart Hub unless you're on the top package, where you'll get an EE Smart Hub Plus. You'll also have the option to upgrade to the Plus for a fee no matter which package you're on.
EE Smart Hub: Included with Standard Fibre packages, the EE Smart Hub is designed to handle multiple devices simultaneously, providing an intelligent wireless connection to deliver the best possible Wi-Fi speed at all times. It's ideal for everyday browsing, streaming, and light gaming
EE Smart Hub Plus: Available with most Full Fibre packages, the Smart Hub Plus features Wi-Fi 6, offering faster speeds and improved capacity for multiple devices. This router is suitable for households with higher internet demands, such as 4K streaming and online gaming
EE Smart Hub Pro: Bundled with EE's top-tier 1.6Gbps packages, the Smart Hub Pro is the UK's first Wi-Fi 7 router offered by a major provider. It delivers ultrafast speeds and enhanced performance, making it perfect for ultra-heavy users. You can also upgrade to this router for an additional fee if you're not on 1.6Gbps
If you struggle with a good Wi-Fi signal in your home, EE offers its 'Smart Wi-Fi Plus' service. This add mesh/booster devices that create a seamless network, eliminating dead zones. You get up to two additional devices at no extra cost if they're needed.
If you prefer to use your own router, ensure it's compatible with EE's broadband services. Guidance on setting up third-party routers with EE Broadband can be found on their website.
Contract lengths
All EE broadband contracts run for 24 months, which is a long commitment, but it's (sadly) becoming pretty standard across major providers now. Shorter contracts are becoming rarer, as companies push for them to retain customers for longer. If you're not keen on being tied in for two years, there are some 18-month providers still knocking about (Virgin Media and TalkTalk) or you can check out rolling 30-day broadband options from smaller providers, albeit those usually coming at quite a high monthly cost.
Rewards, vouchers and gift cards
EE Broadband often runs special promotions for new customers, including discounts on monthly bills or free setup. In some cases, EE also offers extra perks such as free months of service or bundled add-ons like Xbox Game Pass Ultimate with selected broadband packages.
If your EE Broadband deal includes a promotional offer, you'll typically receive details on how to claim it in your order confirmation email. Some offers, such as subscription perks and extra data on your EE mobile, are applied automatically, while others may require you to log in to your EE account and follow a claim process. It's important to check the terms of your deal carefully to ensure you don't miss out.
These offers change frequently and are often time-limited. To stay up to date with the latest EE Broadband rewards and promotions, check EE's website or speak to their customer service team before signing up.
