Set up and use Compatible WiFi

What is Compatible WiFi?

Compatible WiFi is a feature provided with the latest EE hubs that allows you to create a separate WiFi network (SSID or Service Set Identifier) that you can use to connect your devices to. The Compatible WiFi network differs from your ‘main’ WiFi network because it uses older, longer-established WiFi technologies.

When should I use Compatible WiFi?

EE’s latest hubs support the very latest and greatest in WiFi standards, ensuring that you’re always able to get the best speeds and performance from your WiFi connection. Whilst WiFi is designed to be ‘backwards compatible’, a small number of older/less capable devices struggle to ‘understand’ these latest standards and that can cause problems when they try and ‘talk’ to your hub. This means that you may encounter problems when trying to connect certain devices to your hub’s WiFi. These might include:

  • older smartphones, tablets, laptops or printers
  • some smart home devices like bulbs, doorbells or cameras

Some Smart Devices, particularly those that only operate on a 2.4GHz connection, can also struggle to connect to a ‘Dual band’ or ‘Tri band’ hub. Compatible WiFi can be helpful in these instances too, as the Compatible WiFi network defaults to 2.4GHz-only by default.

Are there any downsides to Compatible WiFi?

Whilst Compatible WiFi presents itself as a separate WiFi network to connect your devices to, those devices will still be able to communicate with the ‘main’ WiFi network. This means that you’ll have no problem controlling your Smart Devices no matter which network they are connected to.

Depending on the device in use, WiFi performance may be reduced when connected to the Compatible WiFi network. This is because the 2.4GHz network is slower than the higher frequency ‘bands’ offered by the 'main' WiFi network. 

Turn on Compatible WiFi using the EE app

Compatible WiFi can be turned on in the EE app.  If you don't have access to the EE app you can also follow the steps in the section below to enable Compatible WiFi using the Hub Manager.

  1. Open the EE app and navigate to the ‘Manage’ tab and then to the ‘Broadband’ section.
  2. If you haven’t yet paired the app to your hub, follow the instructions via the ‘set up WiFi Controls’ tab.
  3. Scroll down and tap the Turn on Compatible WiFi toggle:
  4. Think of and enter a WiFi network name and password and tap Save:

    Note: when selecting save, there may be a short interruption to your WiFi connection. Don’t worry, your devices should reconnect within a minute or two.

  5. You should now be able to see your Compatible WiFi when using your device to scan for available WiFi networks. 
  6. You can connect to the network using the password you set up above.

Turn on Compatible WiFi using the Hub Manager

To turn on compatible WiFi using the Hub Manager:

  1. Open a web browser and enter 192.168.1.254 into the address bar
  2. Select the Advanced settings tile
  3. Select the Wireless tile
  4. Enter your hub’s admin password and select OK

    Tip: you’ll find this on the removeable settings card on the back of your hub.

  5. Highlight the ‘Compatible WiFi’ tab, think of and enter a WiFi network name and password and select Save

    Note: when selecting save, there may be a short interruption to your Wi-Fi connection. Don’t worry, your devices should reconnect within a minute or two.

  6. You’ll also find an option in the Hub Manager to enable the 5GHz band for the Compatible WiFi network. This may improve WiFi performance but can cause problems for other non-5GHz devices that you have connected to the Compatible WiFi network.
  7. You should now be able to see your Compatible WiFi network when using your device to scan for available WiFi networks. 
  8. Connect to the network using the password you configured above.

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