EE has announced Hybrid Broadband, a new technology that brings both 4G mobile connectivity and Wi-Fi into a single home router.
The firm says the combination will result in improved reliability and higher speeds, with the mobile connection acting as a booster for the broadband connection.
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Furthermore, if you experience any broadband problems, unlimited 4G will ride to the rescue to ensure you always have a solid connection.
“The UK’s first truly hybrid home broadband combines BT’s superfast broadband network with EE’s 4G network to give customers consistent and reliably fast broadband speeds, even in areas with traditionally slow broadband speeds or at peak times,” says EE.
“The hybrid technology ensures customers are always connected, as one technology will take over the other in the unlikely event of a fault.”
It’s only a prototype product at the moment, but EE says it will come out in early 2019. Official pricing is, unsurprisingly, yet to be revealed, but Howard Jones, EE’s head of network communications, told Trusted Reviews that Hybrid Broadband will likely be made available to existing broadband customers as an addon, for around £10 extra per month.
EE also says that extra hardware will be available. It’s expected that users will be able to choose between a single box for both broadband and 4G, or two separate boxes that can be placed in different areas of the home for the best possible 4G signal.
Related: EE 5G to launch in 2019
“All routers should be built this way one day,” said EE CEO Marc Allera.
“BT runs the UK’s most advanced mobile and broadband networks, but our customers demand better connections, and the best service no matter where they are.”
Does Hybrid Broadband appeal to you? Share your thoughts @TrustedReviews.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
