Setting up a third-party router
Every router brand is different. Menu names and layouts vary, but the steps below will work for most third‑party routers.
Step 1
Connect to your router
Plug your router in and switch it on, then connect your computer, tablet or phone.
Step 2
Open the settings
- Open a web browser.
- In the address bar, enter your router’s admin address. This is usually 192.168.1.1 or 192.168.0.1, or a web URL printed on the router (e.g. routerlogin.net or speedport.ip).
- Press Enter.
- Pop in your router's admin username and password.
Step 3
Find your broadband or internet settings
Look for one of the following sections in your router menu:
- Internet
- WAN
- Broadband
- PPP settings
- Advanced > Internet
- Network > WAN
Because every router uses different terminology, your menu may look slightly different, but you’re aiming for the page where your broadband connection type and username/password can be entered.
Step 4
Add your EE Broadband settings
Depending on your connection type, you'll need to enter specific details.
Fibre and Full Fibre
- Username or login name: bthomehub@btbroadband.com
- Broadband password: BT (or leave blank)
- Authentication: CHAP
- DNS: Auto or Obtain from ISP (we'll automatically provide these when you connect)
- VLAN: Active (Full Fibre only)
- VLAN ID (802.1q): 101 (Full Fibre only)
- VLAN ID (802.1p): 101 (Full Fibre only)
Copper
- Username or login name: bthomehub@btbroadband.com
- Broadband password: BT (or leave blank)
- Authentication: CHAP
- DNS: Auto or Obtain from ISP (we'll automatically provide these when you connect)
- Modulation: G.DMT
- Virtual Path Identifier (VPI): 0
- Virtual Channel Identifier (VCI): 38
- Multiplexing: VC based or VC-MUX
Step 5
Save and restart your router
Make sure you select Save, Apply or Update. If your router doesn't restart automatically, please do it manually.
Give it a few minutes once it's turned back on, try loading a webpage.
If it isn't working, please restart your ONT and router, then add the settings again.
Important considerations
You can use your own router if you prefer, but there are a few things to check first so everything works as it should.
Our EE Guides can only support EE or BT Broadband equipment. We can’t help with the set-up or troubleshooting of third party routers.
Some broadband providers lock their routers so they only work on their own network. If you're using a router from another provider, it might not connect on EE.
To work on the EE Broadband network, your router must support PPPoE (Point to Point Protocol over Ethernet).
- For Fibre plans, you’ll also need a router with an integrated VDSL modem.
- For Full Fibre plans, you can use any PPPoE capable router with an ethernet WAN port, and you won’t need a modem.
If you have EE Digital Home Phone, you’ll need to keep your EE or BT Hub as your main router. Third party routers are not compatible.
Some EE services only work with an EE or BT Hub. This includes:
- EE TV
- WiFi Extender
- Connectivity Backup
- WiFi Optimiser
These may not work with third party routers.
Using your own router won’t change the broadband speeds we provide to your home. Your speed is set by your EE plan and the line coming into your property, not the router you choose to use.
As long as your third‑party router supports the same Wi-Fi and broadband standards as the EE Smart Hub, you should get the same performance. Just different routers might not deliver Wi-Fi as fast or as reliably as our latest Smart Hub, so you may notice differences in wireless coverage, but your actual EE Broadband speeds stays the same.
If you ever want to switch back to your EE hub, you absolutely can. Nothing about using your own router changes your broadband service. Just unplug the third‑party router, connect your EE hub, and it’ll get you back online in a few minutes. There’s no extra setup needed, so you’re free to swap between routers whenever it suits you.
Need help with your hub?
If you choose to use your hub again or want to check you’re set up correctly, you can follow our step‑by‑step guidance. It covers everything you need to get your EE equipment working as it should.
Using your EE hub with another internet service provider
EE hubs are not designed for use on other internet service provider’s networks. If you leave EE, we may ask you to return your hub to us.