BT is set to introduce a new Wi-Fi router, the Smart Hub 3, which will support the faster Wi-Fi 6 standard, according to sources speaking to ISPreview. The router is expected to launch in July 2022, alongside an upgraded BT Complete Wi-Fi mesh system for whole-home coverage.
The Smart Hub 3 will also include a SIM card slot for 5G or 4G mobile backup during outages, a feature already available in BT's Halo product. BT-owned EE will provide the mobile broadband backup when needed.
BT's current routers do not support Wi-Fi 6, even on its fastest 900Mbps full-fibre plans. This puts BT behind rivals like Virgin Media, which launched its Wi-Fi 6 Hub 5 in October 2021, and TalkTalk, which offers Amazon's Eero 6 router with Wi-Fi 6 support.
Sources indicate that BT had hoped to launch the Wi-Fi 6 router earlier, aiming for a late-2021 release. However, delays were caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the global semiconductor chip shortage, which also affected the availability of gaming consoles like Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5.
In the meantime, BT is offering various broadband deals, including a £70 Reward Card with Fibre 2, a one-month upgrade to Fibre 500 for Fibre 2 customers, and half-price Fibre 150 for three months under its "Homebuyer's Offer." These deals come with 24-month contracts and setup fees.
