EE Broadband Speed Hub

We want to give you the fastest and best broadband experience possible.
Find out what to do if your broadband seems a bit slow

Understanding broadband speeds

Speed measurement

Broadband speed is how fast data is sent and received over your internet connection. This is measured in Megabits per second (Mbps or Mb/s). The more Megabits per second, the faster your broadband. But don’t confuse Megabits with Megabytes (MB). A Megabit is one eighth (1/8) as big as a Megabyte.

Sync speed

This is the speed at which data is transferred from your local exchange to your router and is also known as ‘access line speed’.

Sync speed is important when you’re streaming content.

Throughput speed

This is the speed at which data is transferred from your router to any devices you’ve got connected to it e.g. smartphone, laptop or tablet. The speed you experience accessing the internet at home can be affected by lots of factors, including the location of your router and the number of devices connected.

What impacts broadband speeds?

Copper and Fibre (FTTC and FTTP)

Broadband speed is impacted by the type of cable into your home and the distance from your house to the nearest exchange (either the local telephone exchange or the cabinets you see in the street). Fibre cables are faster than copper ones.

Traditional broadband comes into your home via a telephone line, using two main types of cable – copper (ADSL) and fibre (fibre optic).

With the latest technology, FTTP (fibre to the premises), the fibre optic cable is wired directly to your home instead of using FTTC technologiy (fibre to the cabinet) and then copper into your home. This make FTTP Full fibre broadband the fastest type of fibre you can get (subject to FTTP availibility in your area).

Throughput speed

This is the broadband speed you’ll experience when using the internet at home. Lots of factors can impact the speed, including:

The location of the router and how it’s set
Upunplugging your router for periods of time longer than one hour
The number of simultaneous users & devices using the same broadband connection.
Distance from the router
Whether you’re using a wired or wireless connection
The time of day (peak times can cause slower speeds)

How to improve your broadband speeds

Download our EE Home app Virtual Support app from the App Store or Google Play – it’s just like having your own EE engineer to hand and will help you to run a line-speed test and make sure everything is running okay
Find the best spot for your router. Position it centrally in your home and away from electrical items.
Make sure no large objects are blocking the router or that it’s hidden away in a cupboard
Plug your router into the master socket rather than using an extension

Make sure your devices have the latest software and that you’re using the most recent internet browser
Check your settings and security. Using a different WiFi channel from your neighbour could reduce interference
Set up a password limit so too many people can’t connect to your router at the same time
Use a WiFi booster if you’re experiencing slower speeds in certain areas of your home

Choosing the right broadband service for you

The main considerations when choosing the right broadband speeds are:

1. The number of internet users in your household
2. The applications and services they access
3. How often you all use the internet or multiple devices at the same time

Check what broadband deals are available at your address.

Other broadband speed terms

Download speed

The speed at which data is transferred from the exchange to your router. Download speed gives you an idea of how long it will take to download a film or album.

Upload speed

The speed at which data is transferred from your router to the internet – for example, when you upload a photo to Instagram or a video to YouTube.

Minimum guaranteed speed

This is the minimum speed you can expect from your broadband. We’ll tell you your minimum guaranteed speed when you sign up to EE Broadband.
If you don’t receive this speed, we’ll try and fix the issue within 30 days. If we can’t sort out the issue, you can leave EE without charge.

*On 31 March each year our monthly prices will increase by £3 for broadband, £2 for TV and £1.50 for mobile SIM, Airtime and Connected Devices. Out of bundle charges will increase by 5%. See ee.co.uk/prices-explained for details. All prices shown are in contract prices. The cost of other services you take from us may increase or decrease while you are an EE customer.
The legal bit

Broadband

Broadband: 24 month minimum term applies. Subject to credit check and availability. Monthly charges assume online billing. Consumer plans only. £50 charge applies if new line required. Average speed based on speed available to at least 50% of customers at peak time (8-10pm). Your actual speed will be dependent on your location, phone line, home wiring, wi-fi connection and time of day. You own the router 14 days after activation. Our broadband terms apply, see ee.co.uk/terms

Data Boost Discount: Available to selected new and existing EE customers on a pay monthly handset plan or selected SIM only phone plans who also have an existing eligible BT Broadband Plan. Both accounts to be registered to the same account holder at the same address to benefit from a double data boost on their registered EE Plan. Double data applicable to all numbers registered on the EE account. Double data applied to core data allowance only. One eligible EE account per BT account. Consumer plans only. You can only have one double data offer per EE mobile account. If either the EE or BT account has an outstanding overdue balance, the double data will be removed. If you are no longer an eligible EE or BT customer, double data will be removed. No cash alternative. May take up to 24 hours to activate. For further information around data processing, please see our EE Privacy Policy or BT Privacy Policy.

With landline: See terms for calling add-ons.

Without landline: No landline calls service included. You will have no dial tone and will not be able to make or receive calls, including calls to emergency services.

Full Fibre Broadband: Only available without landline for customers living in premises enabled for full fibre from EE. Next-day activation available where an existing full fibre service is not in place. Orders must be placed before 1:30pm.

4GEE/5GEE Home Router: Indoor use only. Compatible laptop/tablet and 4G/5G coverage required, see ee.co.uk/why-ee/mobile-coverage. Available on 24 month minimum term or 30 day contract. Subject to credit check. Plans are for mobile internet in a fixed location. Supports up to 32 compatible devices. Signal range up to 30m. The more devices you have connected to your 4G/5GEE Home Router at the same time, the slower your internet connection will be. Access to our fastest available speeds. 4G/5G speeds depend on the location of your router (we recommend you place your router on or near a window sill), the number of users and plan. Equipment may be different from that shown. Further terms apply, see ee.co.uk/terms.

Fair Usage Policy: Unlimited Plans are for personal, non-commercial use only. We will consider usage above 1000GB/month to be non-personal use and have the right to apply traffic management controls to deprioritise your mobile traffic during busy periods or to move you to a business plan.