1. Providers
2. Guides
3. Plusnet Routers

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 three options: 10Mbps standard unlimited broadband, 36Mbps Unlimited Fibre and 66Mbps Unlimited Fibre Extra. Plusnet supplies two different types of router. Those who choose the 10Mbps Unlimited Broadband package will receive a Hub Zero router, whereas any fibre broadband customers will get a Hub One router, which is essentially a re-skinned version of the acclaimed BT Smart Hub.

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.

Compare Plusnet broadband deals

Plusnet router features

As previously mentioned, 10Mbps standard broadband (ADSL) customers are supplied with a Hub Zero router and fibre broadband customers (33Mbps and 66Mbps packages) get a Hub One router. Both routers are up to the task they are designed for, but there is quite a difference between the two in terms of capability. Let’s dive into some of the features offered by each.

Plusnet Hub Zero

• ADSL only – Supplied with Plusnet’s entry-level ADSL broadband package
• Slightly outdated wifi – This router doesn’t use the latest wifi standards. It is still on 802.11b/g/n rather than the newer 802.11ac
• ADSL modem – This router is for use with ADSL broadband (broadband supplied via your phone line)
• Single band – Unlike most modern dual band routers, the Hub Zero’s wifi only uses the 2.4Ghz band. This is the most commonly used wifi band, which means the airwaves can become crowded, causing interference. Data transfer over this band is also slower than modern 5Ghz wifi
• Four 10/100 ethernet ports – This router has four ethernet ports, but they are of an older generation than the current gigabit ethernet port. The 10/100 ethernet ports are considerably slower than their modern counterparts

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 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 has 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 is it’s latest router and Plusnet still provides its predecessor, the Hub Zero with its 10Mbps ADSL package. But there are still plenty of users accessing broadband via Plusnet’s older 582n model. The 582n router is an older style router made by Technicolour.

An old-style ADSL2+ router with single band 2.4Ghz, 802.11n wifi. This router also has slower 10/100 ethernet ports. Generally speaking this router is now quite out of date. The wifi strength will be a little weak by modern standards, and it lacks many of the improvements seen in modern routers, but this is not surprising for a router first released in 2013.

Back to top