BT Hub 4 Trial
 

I've been accepted onto the new BT Hub trial, people have until 27th Feb to accept or decline otherwise get automatically declined.

What about anyone else?

Re: BT Hub 4 Trial
 

interesting. thanks.

Re: BT Hub 4 Trial
 

How did ya get informed of the trial, Zee?

Re: BT Hub 4 Trial
 

http://bt.centercode.com

There are all sorts of trials going on over at BT, that was one of them listed., There are also iOS trials and others...

I'm just hoping for a Windows Phone trial for SmartTalk which is why I signed up!

Re: BT Hub 4 Trial
 

Huh never heard of it. Might try sign up now...

Re: BT Hub 4 Trial
 

Been on trial for quite a few different BTs stuff, but as i use my own router on infinity the hub4 trail is no good to me. I was on trail with the smart talk app from stage two which was over 18 month ago, it was great to get free phone calls here and when i was abroad.
If you register at https://www.onlinebeta.com/signup/ you may be able to beta all sorts of stuff.

Re: BT Hub 4 Trial
 

Thanks Zee, signed up

Re: BT Hub 4 Trial
 

I didn't get accepted for the trial :( I got this response back from the team:

Thank you for applying for the BT Hub Trial. We had a huge response and have unfortunately on this occasion not selected you to participate.
Further stages of the trial requiring a higher volume of trialists may be opened in the near future and you will be invited once again to apply.

I'll apply again if it is available next time, did anyone else here get accepted?

Re: BT Hub 4 Trial
 

I got accepted for the next round of tests, they said they will be ready to send out around the end of April so will hopefully be able to give this a test then. Does anyone else have one of these?

Re: BT Hub 4 Trial
 

have you signed any confidential agreement whereby you agree to not discuss anything BT4 related or publish any information including photos etc ?

Re: BT Hub 4 Trial
 

as far as I know, not yet...

Re: BT Hub 4 Trial
 

is there tech info or photos of BTHub4 available for you to see?

Re: BT Hub 4 Trial
 

nothing available yet, only thing I know is that they will contact by the end of April and let me know.

Re: BT Hub 4 Trial
 

ok. keep us updated :)

Re: BT Hub 4 Trial
 

could you post pics of Hub4, the dongle, anything else included. also is there a full spec list?

Re: BT Hub 4 Trial
 

Is it simultaneous 2.4Ghz + 5Ghz like the Superhub 2 or switchable one-band-at-a-time like the original Superhub?

Re: BT Hub 4 Trial
 

Re: BT Hub 4 Trial
 

hm... not sure what to make of that. got a picture of the back?

Re: BT Hub 4 Trial
 

i'll upload a back pic tomorrow, but I did take a side pic also. see above.


I wasn't wow'd when I opened and saw it, but it is a ton better than the superhub. I don't like the fact that it is a few inches wider though. Performance wise its a lot better though and im sure it'll be better for everyone.

As for any specs, no there is nothing available at the moment.

Re: BT Hub 4 Trial
 

Is it better then superhub 2? has it got more features then superhub 2?

---------- Post added at 00:32 ---------- Previous post was at 00:29 ----------

BT open reach not upgrading my street cabinet so can't get infinity 2..
but i love to get BT Home HUb 4.

Virgin media is not giving me Super HUb 2 even am in the Trial.

Re: BT Hub 4 Trial
 

umbrokhan786 rememeber you've agreed to an agreement with VM not to talk in public.

Thanks Zee mate.

i'm not stunned like you. may be its telling on what sort of look BT are going for with new STBs? it looks like the styling is going backwards if anything but then some things that look backwards are forward :erm::dozey:

shame about not having a spec list. are you involved on any trial forum on BTs forum? could you ask other memebrs on the trial if they have a spec list or staff able to give info ?

Re: BT Hub 4 Trial
 

Or take it apart?

Re: BT Hub 4 Trial
 

Yum. Cat-proof design.

---------- Post added at 23:13 ---------- Previous post was at 23:11 ----------

Any idea if it's 300Mbps or 450Mbps wireless? If the latter, that could explain the wideness. For MIMO to work properly you need good physical separation between the individual antennae.

Re: BT Hub 4 Trial
 

I believe its 300Mbps

Re: BT Hub 4 Trial
 

You know I will as soon as I find somebody to steal one off

Re: BT Hub 4 Trial
 

Zee were your pics gone? i thought you gonna show back of H H 4?

Re: BT Hub 4 Trial
 

He probably got in trouble lol

It is a trial after all.

Re: BT Hub 4 Trial
 

never heard of it either, dont you just love it 'not' when people post about trials just when they about to run out.

Re: BT Hub 4 Trial
 

The UK’s most reliable broadband connection from BT’s new hub

First smart dual band wireless router from a major UK ISP

BT has unveiled its new, smarter Hub 4 wireless router, designed to offer broadband users the UK’s most reliable connection from a major Internet Service Provider (ISP).

BT says the new router, being rolled out from May 10, 2013, gives customers the best connection because of its smart dual band wireless technology. It combines Smart Wireless and concurrent dual band wireless (dual stream 802.1n MIMO technology simultaneously at 2.4GHz and 5GHz), which helps avoid interference to give the most dependable connection . It is the first router from a major ISP in the UK to offer this.

The new slim-line design of the BT Hub 4, at just 116mm high, 236mm wide x 31mm deep, means it will fit through most letter boxes, putting an end to frustrating trips by customers to pick up their parcel from the local sorting office or mail depot if it is delivered while they are out.

The router’s integral “smart setup” makes it simple for the customer to set it up with any device without having to load a separate CD.

Two Gigabit Ethernet ports (WAN and LAN), 5GHz 802.11n and a new faster processor make the BT Hub 4 the ideal partner for BT’s fastest Infinity fibre services providing a superfast connection that can be fully harnessed by a complete range of devices via the Hub’s superb connectivity options.

Packaging is made from 100 per cent recycled card with non-petrochemical inks and the latest intelligent power management technology monitors hub functions and puts them individually into power save mode when not in use.

John Petter, managing director of BT’s Consumer division, said: “This is our best ever home hub. We’re once again providing our customers with cutting edge technology to give them a better connection than any other major UK broadband provider. BT’s the first major ISP in the UK to offer such innovative smart dual-band technology that avoids interference for an ultra-reliable connection. It’s at the heart of our broadband packages.”

Ofcom’s recent report on broadband speeds shows BT customers are getting faster speeds than ever before with BT Infinity giving the most reliable experience. It revealed BT is much more likely than others to deliver the same speeds in evening peak times when people most value their connection. Some ISPs restrict internet traffic or limit how much users can download or upload, so at peak times of day customers may experience slower speeds. BT’s unlimited products really are “Totally Unlimited”, never slowing customers down. The strength of BT's network combined with the new Hub 4 means BT customers can enjoy the best possible speeds, on the most reliable wifi connection.

The BT Hub 4 will be rolled out to BT Broadband and BT Infinity packages over the coming months, starting from Friday May 10. From June, existing BT customers will be able to upgrade for free to the new hub when they take out a new contract or they can buy one at a special price of £35 including VAT from www.bt.com.

Notes to editors

The new BT Hub 4 product specification

Ports and Sockets
• ADSL network interface for BT Broadband
• 1x RJ45 Gigabit WAN interface for BT Infinity
• 4x RJ45 Ethernet LAN ports
• 1x Gigabit Ethernet
• 3x 10/100 Base T Ethernet
• 1x USB 2.0 master socket x1

Buttons
• Wireless: WPS
• Reset (Pinhole)
• Restart
• On/Off power button

LED
• Power
• Broadband
• Wireless
•
Weight & dimensions
• 301 (gms)
• 116 high x 236 wide x 31 deep (mm)

Wireless
• Dual band concurrent wireless
• 2.4GHz: 802.11n dual-stream 2x2 MIMO. Back compatible with 802.11 b/g
• 5GHz: 802.11n dual-stream 2x2 MIMO. Back compatible with 802.11a
• WPS wireless connection
• Smart Wireless – automated channel selection in 2.4 & 5GHz
• Wireless channel operation
• 2.4GHz: 20MHz (default), 40MHz supported
• 5GHz: 40MHz (default), 20MHz supported
• Up to 64 simultaneous wireless users supported

Wireless encryption
• 2.4GHz: WPA & WPA2 (default), WPA, WPA2 and WEP 64/40
• 5GHz: WPA2
•
Wireless Transmission speed
• 2.4GHz wireless: up to 300Mbps
• 5 GHz wireless: up to 300Mbps
• Up to 150 Mbps (20MHz)
• Up to 300 Mbps (40MHz)

Power consumption
• Latest intelligent power management; hub functions are monitored and individually put into power save mode when not in use.
•
Other features
• Packaging designed to fit through typical UK letter box
• Smart set up – new CD-less installation
• Support for BT Wifi
• Packaging is 100 per cent recycled card with non-petrochemical inks

About BT

BT is one of the world’s leading providers of communications services and solutions, serving customers in more than 170 countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT services globally; local, national and international telecommunications services to its customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband and internet products and services and converged fixed/mobile products and services. BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global Services, BT Retail, BT Wholesale and Openreach.

In the year ended 31 March 2012, BT Group’s revenue was £18,897m with profit before taxation of £2,445m.

British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock exchanges in London and New York.


Read Recombu Digital's guides to Setting up a Wireless Home Network and What is a Router?John Petter, managing director of BT’s Consumer division, said: “This is our best ever home hub. We’re once again providing our customers with cutting edge technology to give them a better connection than any other major UK broadband provider.

"BT’s the first major ISP in the UK to offer such innovative smart dual-band technology that avoids interference for an ultra-reliable connection. It’s at the heart of our broadband packages.”

The BT Home Hub 4 also sports two Gigabit Ethernet ports (WAN and LAN), 5GHz 802.11n and a new faster processor, which BT claims makes an ideal partner for the firm’s Infinity fibre optic braodband services.

The router also boasts intelligent power management technology which monitors hub functions and puts them individually into power save mode when not in use. It also comes with an integral Smart Setup, which makes it simple for the customer to set it up with any device without having to load a separate CD.

The BT Hub 4 will be rolled out to BT Broadband and BT Infinity packages over the coming months, starting from Friday, May 10. From June, existing BT customers will be able to upgrade for free to the new hub when they take out a new contract, or they can buy one at a special price of £35.

---------- Post added at 01:12 ---------- Previous post was at 01:06 ----------

http://community.bt.com/t5/BT-Infini...-4/td-p/857620

Re: BT Hub 4 Trial
 

Same sort of weasel wording to describe the HH4 as VM used to describe the SH.

Note that three of the LAN ports are only 10/100. Hardly worthy of the claim: “This is our best ever home hub. We’re once again providing our customers with cutting edge technology to give them a better connection than any other major UK broadband provider...."

Re: BT Hub 4 Trial
 

Yeah, limiting the internal network bandwidth to 100/10 means its more of a hob than a hub.

Re: BT Hub 4 Trial
 

As much as I think they should be putting gigabit ports on new hubs, the reality is that something like 99 out of 100 customers would never make use of it. The price of a gigabit switch is next to nothing so those requiring better network speeds can easily get one.

No doubt a cost management decision.

Re: BT Hub 4 Trial
 

I think the real issue here is the weasel wording of BT's claims for a somewhat lame device.

It also places into perspective VM's decision to have a gateway device. Because if it's a BT cost management decision, then the cost of the VDSL modem plays into ths. Whether or not the SH2 gets much closer to its "Super" handle is something time will tell. As a triallist (and I will return to modem mode), mine is utterly stable and efficient in router mode with wireless on. So it's clearky getting somewhat closer to it name.

Re: BT Hub 4 Trial
 

The Superhub is not super, in the same way the BT Home hub is not cutting edge. Sky's own offering is nothing special either but both Sky and BT can claim their hubs are at least stable and their software/firmware is not bug ridden.

For most users a stable hub that works along with decent wireless is all they need. VM have a chance of jumping ahead in the supplied hub offering if they can sort out the firmware, as they have the gigabit ports. The wireless on both the VM and BT hub is better on paper than the sky hub. If users don't use the alternative frequency or both at the same time, the extra antenna should be better but some proper comparisons need to be done to be sure. Bad software can negate those benefits.

Re: BT Hub 4 Trial
 

I value faster ports over better wireless, each to their own I guess.

You say cheap and simple to add a gigabit switch, arguably I could say why not just supply a modem and user supply their own wireless point.

Re: BT Hub 4 Trial
 

I also prefer wired and use it for the majority of my devices. When I said most users wanting good wireless, I was referring to the average user who are non-techy and simply want the internet on their laptop/tablet/phone or will be getting wireless devices in the near future.

The average customer wants to order an internet connection and find after install that they can just use it. Not everyone understands how the internet works though wireless routers, they just think that once they get internet installed, the internet just works on their laptop or computer. Asking these non-network savvy customers to find and buy hardware just isn't right and likely to breed contempt in the isp.

Remember that those with networking knowledge are a tiny majority of customers. Could be lower than 5% of them. Easy to forget that if you frequent computer and network forums....

Re: BT Hub 4 Trial
 

Note they just use it.

Meaning they probably would be happy with wireless g.

Re: BT Hub 4 Trial
 

No dropouts and a decent range would probably be enough for those customers.

I'm ashamed to say that my older laptop had its wireless card swopped out for a VMDG280 internal wireless card, just so I could get full speed :D