Being switched to EE

[#1]

I dunno, @ExForce9 - that is the speed at the cab, not the speed at the property - we need to see what the attenuation is like to have an idea where the issue is

[#2]

"So, the current router is plugged into an extension?"

@ExForce9 

"Well that might explain why the line speeds are so bad, reported here - Digital switch confusion : Message #7 "

Not necessarily. Before FTTP I was always on an extension socket, even though it also had all the components of an old master socket (including surge suppressor) it worked just fine on FTTC. Albeit, as I was only ever on 40/10 FTTC, I never got the chance to find if it would affect FTTC unbound. But the Openreach report was always for >70 Mbps.

[#3]

Having 40/10 available wouldn't be too much of a worry with a VoIP phone,

but running EE 'Digital Voice' on a line with 0.77Mbps upload speed will be challenging !

I hope the EE router has good QoS and VoIP traffic prioritisation.

[#4]

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@nuttyknitter wrote:

I might be knocking on a bit age wise ...

@nuttyknitter 

As there is some doubt as to whether your EE 'digital voice' will work reliably at such slow broadband speeds,

consider registering with Plusnet and EE that you are 'vulnerable' and ensure your account is on the "Priority Services Register", then if things go wrong they are legally required, under Ofcom rules, to ensure that alternative solutions are found to keep you online and that you have a fully functioning telephone.

https://www.plus.net/help/legal/accessibility/ 

https://ee.co.uk/digital-accessibility/supporting-vulnerability 

[#5]

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@ExForce9 wrote:

Having 40/10 available wouldn't be too much of a worry with a VoIP phone,but running EE 'Digital Voice' on a line with 0.77Mbps upload speed will be challenging !

I hope the EE router has good QoS and VoIP traffic prioritisation.

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It has. They are designed to work on slow connections. Whilst there is no QoS settings available to the user, the Digital Voice internal ATA data is prioritised.

Using a Plusnet Hub 2 with a third party separate ATA on a slow upload connection would be problematic.

[#6]

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@nuttyknitter wrote:

@RadioFox 

I would be pleased to hear how your transfer goes tomorrow, hopefully it will give me some peace of mind.

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I turned on my pc around 9:30 this morning. Despite the Plusnet router light being blue (OK), I had no internet connection. I connected the new EE router & after a minute or 2, I was back online.

I had no further communication from EE to let me know. I thought they might have sent a text.

The phone was still on the old copper line at 9:30, but is now fully working on the digital voice socket on the router. Checked for outgoing & incoming calls. All OK. 👍

[#7]

@nuttyknitter 

In any of the emails that were sent to you, did one contain an order reference number (mine started with VOL...)?

If so, you can check your order by entering it here...

Orders and Returns Help | EE

[#8]

@RadioFox 

Thank you this gives me some hope. I wonder if they are sending an engineer because they think I am an old duffer....

I have got one of those emails so I will follow it up.

I have had a text message from EE today to say they are "still working to provide a service and they will be in touch with me within three working days with a further update".

[#9]

@ExForce9 

I tried to this but couldn't find it on Plusnet. Perhaps they will know we are vulnerable because they have our dates of birth. 

[#10]

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@nuttyknitter wrote:

I have had a text message from EE today to say they are "still working to provide a service and they will be in touch with me within three working days with a further update".

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Do let us know what they say by Friday - if anything. 

[#11]

@nuttyknitter 

did you try logging in to the Plusnet Member Centre and going to -

 https://www.plus.net/member-centre/login?action=additionalsupport 

[#12]

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@Baldrick1 wrote:

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@ExForce9 wrote:

... running EE 'Digital Voice' on a line with 0.77Mbps upload speed will be challenging !

I hope the EE router has good QoS and VoIP traffic prioritisation.

---

It has. They are designed to work on slow connections. Whilst there is no QoS settings available to the user, the Digital Voice internal ATA data is prioritised.

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I asked Google, what is the lowest threshold of upload speed required on the current EE router to support 'Digital Voice' on a SOGEA connection that is also actively using the broadband.

This was the reply -

To prioritize VoIP/Digital Voice on an EE router during concurrent broadband bandwidth usage, you need at least 1.5Mbps of upload sync speed. Each voice call consumes around 64kbps to 100kbps, but a minimum 1.5Mbps overhead prevents packet drops and high latency during upload saturation.

EE Router QoS Limitations & Setup

Standard EE Smart Hubs do not feature granular, user-configurable Quality of Service (QoS) settings or packet-prioritization menus. Instead, they rely on automated, hidden firmware prioritizing certain modes.

Mitigating Slow Uploads on SoGEA

When upload speeds fall below 1.5Mbps, the connection risks severe bufferbloat. To ensure Digital Voice functionality:

• Enable Traffic Modes: Use the EE app to activate 'Work Mode,' which automatically prioritizes connected VoIP or work devices over background data.
  
• Avoid Network Saturation: Restrict other devices from uploading large files (e.g., cloud backups, Dropbox, or OS updates) that would completely consume your slow upstream.
  
• Third-Party Routers: If your upload speeds are consistently under 1.0Mbps, consider replacing or cascading the EE hub with a third-party router (such as a DrayTek) that features manual bandwidth allocation and strict traffic shaping.
  

[#13]

Although, as I said above, the EE hardware is working perfectly, the same can't be said of their website. I get error messages when I try to view my broadband plan, or if I try to follow my order progress (although I can follow my order if I'm not logged in). So I can't see any payment details, length of contract, what speed/plan I'm on etc.

Perhaps the system needs a day or 2 to catch up.  

[#14]

@ExForce9 

I don't think the Google AI is very well informed in this respect.

As far as can be determined, the BT/EE digital voice does sufficient prioritisation to ensure that whatever bandwidth the BT Digital Voice requires gets it.

I'm absolutely confident that whoever in BT developed the Digital Voice system made it as reliable as it could be.

I suspect saturating the upstream (from the LAN ports) would have no impact as a "slice" of the bandwidth is reserved for Digital Voice and the LAN traffic will be prevented from taking that slice.

As general advice, using a QoS enabled router when uplink badwidth is limited isn't a bad suggestion but as the BT DV solution needs their router it won't have much impact on the voice aspect.  

[#15]

@RadioFox Just to confirm - you are still on a FTTC connection with EE, in a stop-sell area for FTTP?