Original article ISPreview UK:Read More
A month has passed since Vodafone first quietly introduced their new range of “Pro 3 Broadband” packages for homes (as spotted by ISPreview), which features their new WiFi 7 capable routers and wireless extenders. The good news today is that the provider has finally issued an official announcement, but it doesn’t add anything new vs our original report.
The provider’s new Pro 3 service is an optional paid add-on for most of their home broadband packages, which somewhat unusually costs between an extra £9 to £13 per month to add – depending on your choice of broadband speed (we’re still unsure why it isn’t set at the same price for all or why it costs the most to add to their entry-level tiers). The exception is their top 2.2Gbps package, which includes Pro 3 by default.
Pro 3 typically includes additional features, such as a Super Wi-Fi Booster for the “fastest WiFi in every room“, dedicated WiFi Xperts for daily support (i.e. proactively monitor and fix WiFi issues for the first 90 days after installation), automatic 4G back-up (dongle/modem) for if your fixed broadband service goes down and Secure Net Home for “hassle-free [internet] security and family controls“.
The add-on also includes their all-new Ultra Hub 7 (FG4278VF) router and Super Wi-Fi 7 Booster (RP761BVDF) – both with support for the latest WiFi 7 wireless networking standard, with two additional WiFi boosters available at no extra cost, delivering coverage to every room.
UltraHub 7 Specs
Dual Band Wi-Fi 7 (2.4 + 5 GHz bands)
Antennas 4×4, 4×4
2 GB RAM
4 GB Flash
1 x LAN (GE) – 2.5Gbps
1 x LAN/WAN (GE) -2.5Gbps
2 x LAN – 1 Gbps
1 x Fibre Optic Port
1 x FXS Port
1 x TAE&FXS Combo Ports
1 x WPS button
1 x Wi-Fi buttonMaxspeed Fibre: 2.5Gbps
Max Speed Phy Rate om Wi-Fi: 7.2Gbps
Max Speed single device 2×2: 2Gbps
Access Technology: ZigBee + Thread radio + BLE radioChipset: “Top performance SoC”, but later says Broadcom BCM6726
The Ultra Hub 7 router, 4G back-up dongle and accompanying boosters are all made from 95% recycled plastic, while the Pro 3 packaging contains zero plastic, instead using soy ink printed on 95% recycled paper – the Pro 3 kit has thus received a Green Product Mark Certification for electrical products.
Rob Winterschladen, Consumer Director of Vodafone UK, said:
“Our latest home broadband launch, Pro 3, proves that customers don’t need to compromise on quality in order to cut costs. We’ve launched a package that gives customers fast connectivity through the latest WiFi technology, as well as security, parental controls, reliability and 4G back-up – all in one great value bundle.”
In the future, we also expect that Vodafone may upgrade their existing PowerHub (Wi-Fi 6) routers too, which they currently offer by default on standard broadband packages, to a slightly lower specced – but still Wi-Fi 7 capable – model (DG4278VF). We don’t know much about that one, yet.
Finally, it’s worth remembering that Vodafone mobile customers can save £4 a month with Vodafone Together (i.e. a bundle combining mobile and broadband plans for added discounts), and the provider will also cover your early termination charges from your previous ISP of an equivalent amount (up to a maximum of £100).