New additional wireless network ID appeared for BT hub

[Rocketman1955]

Until last week our wireless networks only showed 1 network for our BT hub. eg BTHub6-AB12

Now when we check our networks the hub also shows an additional similar network BTHub6-AB12-5

Both are secure and we can connect to them.

Checking in settings on our devices they have different wi-fi addresses.

What has generated the -5 network?

Which one should I use?

Do we need to take any action for security etc.?  

[licquorice]

You have separated the 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz WiFi signals and given them independent SSIDs rather than a common SSID.

The original SSID will be 2.4Ghz, the new one 5Ghz, you can connect to either. The 2.4Ghz signal will be slower with greater reach, the 5Ghz faster but less range

[Rocketman1955]

Ok thanks, but why have the 2 signals just generated the 2 addresses? We have had the hub for about 3 years and its only ever shown 1 network before and we have not reset anything etc in the hub, it just appeared. Was that something BT have generated while updating the hub?

[licquorice]

No idea, it normally requires user intervention to split the networks.

Don't worry about it, to most people it is an advantage to have separate SSIDs and is a huge bone of contention that it is not possible to split the bands on the Smart Hub 2