Smart Hub 3

[PeterR]

How do I go about getting an SH3 please?

I recently (March) recontracted with BT (been a customer for many years) for my FTTP service with Halo.

I understand that the SH3 wasn't being made available at the time I recontracted but as I have a number of WiFi 6 devices on my network it would be good to be able to take advantage of that facility.

Any advice would be most welcome.

[gg30340]

When previous versions of the BT hubs were brought out they were only given out to new customers or if you were upgrading your broadband to a product that required the "new" hub. ie moving from ADSL to VDSL or if your old hub was not compatible with Digital Voice.

You could call BT 0330.1234.150 and ask if they will send you a Smarthub 3 but I would suspect because you do not meet any of the above criteria the answer will be no so don't get your hopes up. 

[Kimberlin]

@PeterR  You could always purchase a WiFi 6/7 EE router off eBay for around 30 quid and arguably, it might be better than the SH3 anyway. Just make sure that if you have a landline, that you can plug the phone into it. Obviously, if you go down that route, make sure you are fully aware of what you are purchasing. Don't buy a second hand one, but a boxed brand new one.

If you don't perhaps have a landline, then you could just buy yourself a decent 3rd party router. You can get a perfectly decent WiFi 7 router for around £100, if you don't mind spending the money that is.

At least with either of those two options, your WiFi 6 devices will reach their potential. If you have a PC, you may need to install a WiFi 6/7 compatible PCIe card. I've literally just done this to my own PC, disabled the onboard WiFi and installed a WiFi 7 PCIe card. It's improved my in home WiFi experience to another level.

You state you've got Halo, do you actually need it? For many, it seems it's a very expensive add on that perhaps isn't needed.

[West]

I did exactly that and phoned customer service / sales.

The operative was very pleasant but did say they were not giving away Home Hub 3 except to new customers.

She did say there was a possibility but no guarantee when renewing contract they may give you one.

So unless they come up for sale elsewhere we are left as we are 😞 

[Kimberlin]

The SH3 domestic router which may or may not be compatible with a landline, is available for sale on eBay, but at a price, significantly more expensive than a brand new EE router.

[licquorice]

The domestic SH3 router IS compatible with DV. 

[Kimberlin]

Someone in another thread kept going on about SH3's being sold on eBay that didn't have the required phone socket. I thought they all did and that it wasn't an issue.

[gg30340]

See link.

BT Smart Hub 3 | BT Device Help | | BT Help

You will see that it is the "Broadband" socket that may be missing if you are on FTTP. The phone socket for DV is on both types.