• EE’s 2.3Gbps and 8Gbps fibre plans cost £54.99 and £74.99 a month for eligible customers
  • The launch is limited to Guildford, Woking and nearby Openreach XGS-PON areas following an earlier trial

The fact

EE has started selling its Advanced Full Fibre service in selected parts of Guildford, Woking, and nearby areas after testing it with customers earlier this year. The new packages offer download speeds of 2.3Gbps and 8Gbps. Prices start at £54.99 a month for 2.3Gbps and £74.99 for 8Gbps, with both available on 24-month contracts.

The service runs over Openreach’s XGS-PON network, which supports higher-capacity fibre connections than its standard residential platform. EE, BT Group’s consumer telecoms brand, says it is the first major UK provider to sell an 8Gbps service using the technology. CityFibre launched an 8.5Gbps wholesale product for partner providers in April, but that offer is delivered through a separate network and sold under a different commercial model.

The assessment

EE is testing whether Openreach’s XGS-PON network can support a practical residential service, not just a technical trial. Openreach controls where the upgraded network is available, while EE handles the customer offer, including pricing, installation, home equipment and support. The network provides the speed, but EE still has to turn that capacity into a service households can order and use.

The launch provides no evidence yet on take-up, installation volumes, support requirements or how widely customers can use the advertised speed across their home networks. EE has also given no timetable for expansion beyond the first postcodes. For BTW readers, the next test is whether Openreach can extend XGS-PON availability while EE attracts customers and supports the service consistently outside the initial launch area.

What to watch

Watch for take-up, installation volumes and any expansion beyond Guildford and Woking. Openreach’s XGS-PON coverage and wholesale terms will determine whether other providers can launch comparable packages. EE’s disclosures on router capability, upload speeds and household usage would show how customers use the additional line capacity.