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EE Full Fibre 1.6 Gbps Review: The UK’s Speed King
Imagine downloading a 100GB game in roughly eight minutes, or a 4K movie in seconds. This isn’t a glimpse into the future; it’s the reality offered by EE’s Full Fibre 1.6 Gbps plan. As the flagship broadband product from one of the UK’s largest providers, it promises to eliminate buffering, lag, and download waits for even the most connected households.
But with great speed comes a premium price tag. Is this service a genuine game-changer for busy families and power users, or is it overkill for the average home? We’ve analysed the specs, real-world performance, and fine print to see if EE’s top-tier plan delivers on its impressive promises.
EE Broadband
Powered by BT With Great Hardware
✅ You crave blistering speeds (1.6Gbps is overkill, but future-proof).
✅ Gaming or WFH is non-negotiable (hello, Game Mode!).
✅ You value quick customer support and low complaint rates.
EE Full Fibre 1.6 Gbps Speed Comparison Tool
What this means for you:
Speed & Performance: Genuine Gigabit+ Speeds
Key Stats
| Metric | EE Full Fibre 1.6 Gbps | Virgin Media Gig1 | Vodafone Pro 3 Full Fibre 1.6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Download Speed | 1,600Mbps | 1,130Mbps | 1,600Mbps |
| Upload Speed | 115Mbps | 104Mbps | 115Mbps |
| Technology | Full Fibre (FTTP) | Fibre & Coaxial | Full Fibre (FTTP) |
Real-World Performance
- Wired Speeds: With compatible hardware, users can achieve the full 1.6Gbps, with some tests showing connections of 1680Mbps to the Optical Network Terminal (ONT) .
- Wireless Speeds: Performance varies by device and distance, but with a Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7 router, speeds of 650-820Mbps are achievable on capable devices .
- Latency: Excellent for gaming, with ping times as low as 7ms reported, providing a super-responsive connection .
Who Actually Needs 1.6 Gbps?
✅ Households with 5+ heavy internet users
✅ Professional content creators and streamers uploading large files daily
✅ Avid gamers who want to download new titles and updates in minutes, not hours
✅ Smart home enthusiasts with 50+ connected devices
❌ Smaller households (1-3 people) with standard streaming and browsing habits
What Can You Do with 1.6Gbps?
Plan Breakdown & Pricing: Premium Service, Premium Cost
EE markets its 1.6 Gbps service primarily through its “Busiest Home” and specialised gaming bundles, which include enhanced hardware.
Plan Comparison
Pricing Considerations:
- Mobile Discount: EE pay monthly mobile customers can receive discounts, making the deals more competitive .
- Annual Price Rise: Like most providers, EE increases prices each year by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) plus 3.9% . This can add several pounds to your bill each year.
Value Note: While expensive, the gaming bundle includes £200+ worth of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which offsets the cost for gamers .
Price Comparison Table – How EE Full Fibre 1.6Gbps Stacks Up
| Provider | Plan Speed | Monthly Cost | Key Differentiator |
|---|---|---|---|
| EE | 1.6Gbps | £59.99 | Wi-Fi 7 hardware, strong customer service |
| Vodafone | 1.6Gbps | £70.00 (£66 with mobile discount) | Often slightly cheaper, especially for mobile customers |
| Zen Internet | 1.6Gbps | ~£65 | Focus on advanced users and reliability |
Hardware & Router: Cutting-Edge Tech with a Caveat
Included Router: Smart Hub Pro (Wi-Fi 7)
- Next-Gen Tech: EE’s Smart Hub Pro is one of the first Wi-Fi 7 routers offered by a major UK provider, offering tri-band technology for reduced congestion .
- Hardware Limitation: A significant point for power users is that the Smart Hub Pro has 1Gbps Ethernet ports . This means you cannot access the full 1.6Gbps speed via a single wired connection to this router.
- The Workaround: To experience the full speed on a wired device, you would need to purchase a third-party router with a 2.5GbE or faster WAN port and connect it directly to the ONT .
Standard Equipment in Bundles:
- Smart WiFi Pro Mesh Discs: Included in the Busiest Home bundle to ensure coverage across large homes.
- Game Mode: A feature within the EE app that prioritises gaming traffic and can optimise server connections to reduce lag .
Customer Service & Reliability
EE has a strong reputation for customer service, especially in the broadband sector.
Customer Satisfaction Scores
Support Channels:
- UK-Based Call Centers: 24/7 availability
- Online Chat: Average 5-minute wait times
- EE App: Comprehensive troubleshooting tools
- Community Forum: Peer-to-peer support
EE Broadband
Powered by BT With Great Hardware
✅ You crave blistering speeds (1.6Gbps is overkill, but future-proof).
✅ Gaming or WFH is non-negotiable (hello, Game Mode!).
✅ You value quick customer support and low complaint rates.
Verdict: A Specialist Powerhouse
Choose EE Full Fibre 1.6 Gbps if:
✅ You have a large, data-hungry household with multiple simultaneous power users .
✅ You are a serious gamer or content creator for whom time is money .
✅ You want the most future-proof connection and the latest Wi-Fi 7 hardware .
✅ You are an EE mobile customer and can leverage the discount .
Consider alternatives if:
❌ Your household has 1-4 average users (a 500Mbps or 900Mbps plan is more than enough).
❌ Budget is your primary concern.
❌ You are not technically inclined to work around the router’s Ethernet limitation for full speed.
Final Thoughts
EE’s Full Fibre 1.6 Gbps is the hypercar of consumer broadband – delivering breathtaking, almost excessive speed that redefines what’s possible at home. With downloads that make a 100GB game file appear in minutes, it’s in a class of its own, though it’s ironically limited by its own Wi-Fi 7 router’s 1Gbps Ethernet ports.
At £59.99/month, it’s a serious investment, on par with Vodafone’s equivalent but significantly pricier than Community Fibre’s symmetric 3Gbps, where available. For the vast majority, EE’s 900Mbps plan delivers 90% of the experience for £24 less. This is a specialist tool for massive households, professional creators, and those who must have the absolute fastest.
My take: Go for EE Full Fibre 1.6 Gbps only if you’re a power user with a household of data athletes and the budget to match. For everyone else, it’s overkill. If your work depends on upload speed, a symmetric alt-net is a better fit. If you just want fantastic broadband, the 500Mbps or 900Mbps tiers are the sweet spot.
Still torn? Compare all top-tier broadband deals here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I actually get 1.6Gbps on my computer?
To achieve the full speed on a single device, you need specific hardware: a computer with a 2.5GbE or faster network port, a third-party router with a multi-gigabit WAN port, and Cat6+ Ethernet cables. The included EE Smart Hub Pro has 1Gbps ports, which will limit a single wired connection to ~940Mbps .
Is the Wi-Fi 7 router upgrade worth it?
For most households right now, the benefits are future-proofing rather than immediate. Very few consumer devices currently support Wi-Fi 7. The real advantage is the router’s ability to handle dozens of devices simultaneously with extreme efficiency, which is valuable in a busy smart home .
What’s the difference between the Busiest Home and Gaming bundles?
The Busiest Home Bundle includes the top-tier Wi-Fi 7 router and mesh system, aimed at general whole-home coverage for large families. The Gaming Bundle typically includes a Wi-Fi 6 router and mesh, but adds 24 months of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, making it a better value if you were already planning to subscribe .
How does the installation process work?
An Openreach engineer must visit to install a specific 2.5Gig Optical Network Terminal (ONT), as the standard gigabit ONT won’t support these speeds. The process can take a few hours, as the engineer may need to run new fibre directly into your home .
What happens if my speed is consistently below 1.6Gbps?
EE guarantees the speed to your hub. If, after 30 days of reporting an issue, they cannot restore the promised performance, you may be able to exit your contract without an early termination fee. Note that Wi-Fi speeds are not guaranteed .
Is the upload speed of 115Mbps sufficient for streaming?
For the vast majority of users, yes. 115Mbps is a very fast upload speed that can easily handle multiple 4K video streams, large cloud backups, and video conferencing simultaneously. However, professional video editors who regularly upload raw 8K footage might prefer a symmetric connection from a specialist “alt-net” provider .
Are there any early termination fees?
Yes, standard early termination fees apply if you cancel outside of the initial cooling-off period or a fault-based release. The fee is typically calculated as the remaining monthly charges on your contract .
Is this service available everywhere?
No. EE’s 1.6Gbps plan relies on Openreach’s full fibre (FTTP) network, which, while growing rapidly, is not yet available to every UK home. You must check availability using your postcode on EE’s website .
