Hybrid connect

[Rosemargaret]

I have just installed a hybrid connect device, part of my renewed broadband contract. It all appears to function as it should. When I disconnect the BT hub input cable to test, as expected the hybrid connect's signal strength bars turn white and the hub glows solid purple. But there is no transparent connection (it takes several minutes in any case before anything happens with the hybrid connect). My laptop then says I have no internet connection, and if I go to a new web page, my browser (Firefox) says I need to log into this network. 'This network' is EE, and I get the log-in page, but trying to log in doesn't get me any further. And then when I reconnect the hub, I have to switch off its power, and switch off the hybrid connect,  before the hub will restart and reconnect (it just stays solid purple when the hub input cable is reconnected). I also have to stop the laptop from trying to connect to EE wifi and tell it to connect to the BT signal. This is far from a transparent switchover (and disconnecting the BT input signal cable is exactly the same as a fault on the line), in either direction. My new contract doesn't start for two days, but that is only paperwork, and a hybrid connect is supposed to work before broadband is connected (ie, before the contract starts). I don't think this is a very useful item.

[licquorice]

The hybrid connect takes several minutes before it kicks in on failure of the broadband signal, likewise several minutes before the router switches back, this is by design.  It is not intended to be a seamless transfer.

[Rosemargaret]

Several minutes - not twenty! Nor should one have to log in to EE wi-fi, which is what my Firefox told me - I can't log in to that. I don't have an EE wi-fi account, nor should I need to, if this is an automatic transfer from BT. Supposed to be a transparent takeover, which means I shouldn't have to do anything but wait. This is far from the case.

[gg30340]

For your information, you can log onto the EE Wifi, which has superseded BTWifi,  by using your BTID and password.

See link and in particular the sub link 

"I'm an EE Broadband or a BT Broadband customer, how do I get my free WiFi access?"

Help & advice | Find WiFi hotspots | EE WiFi

As regards the hybrid device see the following link.

 101256_User_Guide_v19.pdf

If you have a good EE mobile signal the device the Hybrid Connect device should connect to the EE mobile network within a few minutes of being powered up.

It will then pair with your hub. Its central light will stop flashing and turn blue. If everything’s working as it should, the
central light will have turned blue as will the light on your Smart Hub.

If this does not happen it could be that you do not have a good EE 4G signal and you should try placing the hybrid device in a better position to receive the EE 4G signal. If it still does not connect it may be that you are in a poor EE 4G network area and the device will not work for you. 

[Rosemargaret]

Thanks for the ID info.

The 4G signal here is good.

It shouldn't be necessary to log in again if this is supposed to be an automatic process.

More to the point, I would never know if the fault (this was a test, so I reconnected the cable myself) had been resolved, since 'clearing' the fault didn't stop the smart hub showing purple unless it was switched off to reset it.

[licquorice]

In a fault condition (rather than physically disconnecting the cable as a test) the cable would remain connected and service would switch back once the fault had cleared.

[gg30340]

I was pointing out for information that should you wish to that you could use EE Wifi even although you are not an EE customer as you obviously were unaware of that even although it is part of your BT Broadband package.

I did not say that you had use EE Wifi with the Hybrid device nor did I say you had to log onto EE Wifi in order to use the Hybrid device.

As regards not knowing when the fault cleared, this was answered by @licquorice .

I would suggest that if you have not already done it you read the instructions for the Hybrid device.