EE Broadband packages and speeds: How good are they?

EE’s upload speeds are better balanced on slower packages

This sounds backwards, but it’s how the maths work. EE’s Full Fibre 150 package gives you a 30Mbps upload speed, which is a pretty healthy chunk of the download speed. Move up the range, though, and the upload speed doesn’t rise at the same pace as the download speed. So while the package gets faster overall, the upload-to-download balance gets less generous.

For most homes, that won’t be a disaster. Upload speed usually matters a lot less than download speed, because we all spend more time watching, downloading, browsing and streaming than we do sending large files the other way. But if you upload video, back up lots of data, stream live, or send big work files, it’s something you’ll want to consider.

The 1.6Gbps package is the odd one out

EE’s fastest package gives you 1.6Gbps down and 115Mbps up. In ordinary terms, that upload speed is still quick. But the balance is way off by that point. The download speed shoots up, but the upload speed doesn’t rise at anything like the same rate.

That doesn’t make the package bad. It just means you shouldn’t buy it assuming it’s the best choice for sending large files, uploading video or backing up huge folders. It’s mainly for monster downloads.

It won't matter to most people

For most homes, EE’s upload speeds will be absolutely fine. Video calls, gaming, photo uploads, cloud saves and everyday working from home shouldn’t cause much trouble. It’s only specific, heavier upload uses where you’ll need to look more closely.

Sources: EE Broadband, All compared providers

EE should suit most working-from-home jobs

For normal home working, EE Broadband is going to be absolutely fine. Writing, emailing, using Teams or Zoom, logging into work systems, sending documents and doing the usual office admin won’t trouble any of EE’s current Full Fibre packages.

The bit to watch is upload speed. If your job involves sending huge video files, design work, CAD files or constant cloud backups, don’t just stare lovingly at the download number. Upload speed is the bit doing the heavy lifting when you’re sending data out.

EE Work Mode is the useful extra

EE has a proper working-from-home feature inside EE WiFi Optimiser. Work Mode prioritises calls and meetings, which is exactly the kind of thing that matters when your laptop is trying to hold a video call while the rest of the house is streaming, gaming or downloading updates.

That’s better than vague ‘great for working from home’ marketing. It won’t fix a bad line or a terrible Wi-Fi spot, but it can help your work traffic get treated like the important thing, rather than just another device shouting for attention.

Device prioritisation would still be better

The one caveat is that EE doesn’t give you full per-device prioritisation. So you can prioritise types of activity through EE WiFi Optimiser, but you can’t simply point at your work laptop and say, ‘This dog eats first’.

For most people, that won’t be a dealbreaker. Work Mode is probably the more useful setting anyway, because it targets the calls and meetings that actually need protecting. But if you want very precise control over one specific work machine, a third-party router may still give you more room to tinker.

Upgrading is handled in the EE app

EE says you can upgrade your broadband package through the EE app by going to Manage, choosing Broadband, then selecting Change Plan. That’s a much neater route than having to phone up and explain yourself like trying to cancel a gym membership.

The thing to watch is what happens next. A faster package may mean a higher monthly price, a different package tier, different extras, or a new contract. EE should show you the details before you confirm, but don’t treat a speed upgrade as just a speed upgrade.

Downgrading is where you need to be more careful

Moving down to a cheaper or slower package is not the same as moving up. EE says cancelling or downgrading before your contract ends may mean you have to pay an early termination fee. That’s the important bit, because ‘I want to pay less’ and ‘I’m free to pay less right now’ are not always the same thing.

If you’re still inside your minimum term, check with EE before assuming you can simply drop to a cheaper package. If your contract is near its end, that’s usually the better time to review what you’re on, what you actually use, and whether EE’s renewal offer makes sense.

Some upgrades may come to you automatically

There is one nice exception here. If you’re on EE Standard Fibre and Full Fibre becomes available where you live, EE says it’ll upgrade you to Full Fibre for free. That means this kind of speed upgrade is less about you chasing a bigger package, and more about the network finally catching up with your address.

You may not need to jump provider just because your current EE speed looks limited today. But you should still check what the upgrade involves when EE contacts you, especially if equipment, installation or package details change.

Always check the confirmation afterwards

The safest thing with EE is to assume the change has consequences until the confirmation proves otherwise. Your monthly price may change, your extras may change, and your contract position may change too.

So once you’ve changed anything, keep the email or account confirmation. That’s where the real detail lives. If the package, price, contract length or included extras don’t match what you thought you’d agreed to, that’s the moment to challenge it, not six months later when the bill has already settled into being fully annoying.