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Plusnet broadband routers

By Aaron Howdle | Tuesday, June 20th 2023

Plusnet has established itself as a consumer-friendly, budget broadband provider, offering decent broadband options at a more affordable price than some of its competitors. Plusnet is owned by BT, so the broadband is essentially the same as that provided by BT.

There can be a real difference in performance between the routers supplied by different broadband companies. After all, what is the use of a lightning-fast internet connection if the router’s wifi can’t provide a reliable connection to your home office or bedroom? In this guide we will take a look at the features which make up Plusnet’s routers.

How to get a Plusnet router

If you want a Plusnet router, you will need to sign up for a Plusnet broadband package. There are numerous options. Most households will be able to get the 10Mbps standard Unlimited Broadband, 36Mbps Unlimited Fibre and 66Mbps Unlimited Fibre Extra. If you’re lucky enough to live somewhere you can get a pure fibre connection (also known as FTTP broadband), the 145Mbps Full Fibre 145, the 500Mbps Full Fibre 500, and the 900Mbps Full Fibre 900 will also be available to you.

Plusnet supplies two different types of router. Those who choose the 10Mbps Unlimited Broadband package or any of the standard fibre packages (Unlimited Fibre and Unlimited Fibre Extra) will get a Hub One router which is essentially a re-skinned version of the acclaimed BT Smart Hub. Those opting for the faster Full Fibre packages will get the new Hub Two router, which is better equipped to cope with those faster speeds.

Your Plusnet router will normally arrive within a couple of weeks of signing up to a new package. If you require a new phone line, the engineer may also set up your router. Otherwise you will receive your new router in the post and set it up yourself.

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Plusnet router features

As previously mentioned, 10Mbps standard broadband and standard fibre broadband customers (33Mbps and 66Mbps packages) get a Hub One router. Here’s a look at the specifications:

Plusnet Hub One

  • Fibre only – Supplied with Plusnet’s fibre broadband packages
  • Next generation wifi – Hub One uses the latest wireless standard (802.11ac) to deliver the fastest wifi speeds possible. Devices using older wifi standards such as 802.11n are also able to connect
  • ADSL2+ & VDSL2 modem – The ADSL2+ allows for connections over the Openreach telephone network, while the VDSL2 means the modem is ready for fibre broadband. The modem features auto switching to the relevant mode
  • Smart channel selection – The Hub One automatically connects your devices to the fastest wifi channel and frequency available
  • Dual band – Like many modern routers, the Hub One router uses both the 2.4GHz and faster 5GHz bands
  • Four gigabit ethernet ports – The Hub One has four gigabit ethernet ports, so you can use a wired connection for up to four devices
  • USB port – The useful addition of a USB Port allows users to connect shared hard drives, shared printers and even a 5G dongle if they want a back-up internet connection
  • Smart power management – The Hub One will power down when not in use, saving you a penny or two (literally)

If you opt for a faster Full Fibre package (145Mbps, 500Mbps or 900Mbps), provided those are available where you live (still quite unlikely at the time of writing), you’ll get a Hub Two router. Here’s a look at the specifications:

Plusnet Hub Two

  • Full Fibre only – Supplied with Plusnet’s Full Fibre broadband packages
  • Next generation wifi – Hub Two offers dual band wifi creating two discrete networks in your home. A 2.4Ghz and a 5Ghz network. The former uses the 802.11b, g, and n protocols, the latter the fastest 802.11ac format
  • Smart channel selection – The Hub Two automatically connects your devices to the fastest wifi channel and frequency available
  • Four gigabit ethernet ports – The Hub Two has three gigabit ethernet ports, so you can use a wired connection for up to three devices directly, or daisy chain devices from any or all of these ports to your heart’s content
  • USB port – The useful addition of a USB Port allows users to connect shared hard drives, shared printers and even a 5G dongle if they want a back-up internet connection
  • Smart power management – The Hub Two will power down when not in use

If there are any unfamiliar terms you'd like a more in-depth explanation of, check out our jargon-busting guide.

Setting up a Plusnet router

The Plusnet Hubs are designed to fit through a letterbox and be installed by the customer. If an engineer is required to install a phone line, they will also set up your router. However with auto-set up included as a feature of Plusnet’s routers, set up is a simple process and you can do it yourself.

To set up your new service, you will need to unplug your existing router, micro-switches and phones from your wall mounted telephone socket. After you have done this, plug the supplied micro-filter into your phone socket. Then plug the grey cable into the micro-filter and push the other end into the port on the back of the router.

Now you can connect the power. Switch off the mains plug socket and plug the power supply into your new router. Now insert the power plug into the mains power socket. Once this is done, switch on the power socket and switch on your router.

On the back of the router, you will find the details required to log into your new wifi. The Hub One and Two have a removable card slotted into the back of the router. The card has all your wifi log-in details printed on it. Wifi log-in details are also printed on the bottom of the router in case the card is lost.

Once your router is up and running, we'd suggest you start making it as secure as possible. Our guide to securing your wifi router can help.

Legacy Plusnet routers

The Plusnet Hub One and Two are the latest routers and Plusnet, but long-time existing customers may still have the inferior Hub Zero. If that’s the case, you can usually get the latest router as a replacement simply by asking Plusnet.

Frequently asked questions

Will I be able to keep my Plusnet router if I leave Plusnet?

Unlike some suppliers such as Virgin Media, you can either keep your router, or return it to Plusnet for recycling.

Can I get Plusnet broadband without a phone line?

You need a phone line to get Plusnet broadband, so you will have to pay line rental. Like other providers that use the Openreach network to provide broadband, Plusnet broadband is delivered to your home via a telephone line.

What is the latest Plusnet router?

Plusnet’s latest router is the Hub Two, which comes with its Full Fibre broadband packages. Customers on Plusnet’s older routers can usually get a free upgrade to whichever router is now appropriate to your current connection.

Can I use my own router with Plusnet?

For the technically-minded among you, a top class router will perform better than the free routers given away by broadband providers. It is important to note that you will need to know what you are doing however. Some fiddly set-up will be needed and you must be sure the router you buy is right for the broadband service you have.

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