If you join Plusnet today, or upgrade your existing broadband package, the router you’ll receive is the Hub Two. It’s now the default for both Fibre (FTTC) and Full Fibre (FTTP) deals, and Plusnet highlights it as their most reliable hub across the range.
Underneath, Hub Two is effectively a BT Smart Hub 2 running Plusnet’s own firmware. Many long-time users and moderators in the Plusnet Community describe it as a rebranded Smart Hub 2.
That means performance is broadly the same as BT’s hub, but with a few interface changes and the lack of BT-only features like Digital Voice.
Quick spec snapshot
Hub Two is a dual-band Wi-Fi 5 router. It offers separate 2.4GHz and 5GHz radios, multiple internal antennas, four Gigabit Ethernet ports, and a USB port for simple storage sharing. The hub manager lets you tweak wireless settings, check connected devices, and adjust basics like Wi-Fi name and password.
| Feature | Plusnet Hub Two |
|---|---|
| Wi-Fi Standard | Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) |
| Wi-Fi Bands | Dual-band (2.4GHz & 5GHz) |
| Smart Channel Management | Yes – automatic band selection |
| Antenna Configuration | 7 internal antennas |
| Ethernet Ports | 4 x Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports |
| WAN Port | 1 x WAN (shared with LAN1, for FTTP) |
| USB Port | 1 x USB-A 2.0 (SMB1 only) |
| Modem Compatibility | Built-in VDSL/ADSL modem for FTTC |
| FTTP Support | Yes – via WAN port |
| Digital Voice | No – phone port disabled |
| Wi-Fi Band Splitting | Not supported (no separate SSIDs) |
| Mesh Support | No native mesh support |
| WPS Button | Yes |
| Wall Mountable | No |
| Dimensions | 254 x 160 x 58 mm (approx.) |
| Supplied With | Power adapter, DSL cable, Ethernet cable, Wi-Fi card |
The USB port exists but has caveats—it relies on SMB1, which many devices disable for security. That makes it useful for occasional file sharing, but not a replacement for a proper NAS. Printer sharing isn’t supported.
What you won’t get is a digital phone service. The hardware still has a phone socket, but Plusnet doesn’t provide Digital Voice to consumers, and the firmware doesn’t allow you to configure third-party SIP.
Setup
Setting up your Plusnet Hub Two will depend on whether you have a Fibre (FTTC) or Full Fibre (FTTP) connection. Here’s how to get started with both.
For Fibre (FTTC) Customers
If your broadband is delivered over the phone line (Fibre to the Cabinet):
- Plug in the DSL cable
Use the grey DSL cable provided. Connect one end to the grey socket on the back of the Hub Two, and the other end to your master phone socket. - Use the microfilter if required
If your socket is a single-port type (no separate broadband outlet), plug in the microfilter first, and then connect the DSL cable into the broadband port on the filter. - Switch on the hub
Plug in the power adapter and press the power button. The light will cycle through various stages during the startup process. - Wait for connection
After a few minutes, the status light will turn blue, indicating the Hub is online and connected. - Connect your devices
- Over Wi-Fi: Use the wireless name (SSID) and password shown on the pull-out card from the hub.
- Wired: Plug an Ethernet cable from the hub to your device for a stable connection.
For Full Fibre (FTTP) Customers
If you have a fibre connection all the way to your home:
- Connect to the Openreach ONT
Find the Openreach fibre box (ONT) installed on your wall. Use the red-ended Ethernet cable that came with your Plusnet Hub. - Plug into the WAN port
Connect one end of the Ethernet cable to the ONT and the other to the red WAN/LAN port on the Hub Two (labelled LAN1). - Power on the Hub
Plug in the power adapter and switch on the hub. The light will eventually turn blue when online. - Connect your devices
- Use the Wi-Fi login details from the pull-out tab.
- Or use Ethernet for wired connections.
Tips for Better Wi-Fi
Plusnet also highlights the importance of router placement:
- Place the hub centrally in your home, preferably in an open space.
- Avoid corners, thick walls, or putting it near electrical appliances.
- Don’t hide it in a cupboard or behind the TV – this can weaken the signal.
A well-placed router will usually improve performance more than any manual setting tweaks. It’s often the single biggest factor affecting Wi-Fi speed and coverage in everyday use.
Real-world performance
On Ethernet, Hub Two is straightforward. It will pass your full line speed to a capable device. If you’re seeing a limit of 100Mb on a cabled test, that’s almost always down to a local bottleneck such as an old Cat5 cable, a Fast Ethernet NIC, or a 1GbE switch in the chain. Check your link speed and cables first, as community members often point out.
On Wi-Fi, the 5GHz band is quick at close range, but as a Wi-Fi 5 router it won’t always hit top-tier speeds on Plusnet’s fastest full-fibre plans. Thick walls or interference will bring speeds down further. For consistency, an Ethernet cable is still the most reliable way to get your full package rate.
The big frustration raised in community threads is band splitting. Hub Two doesn’t give you a simple toggle to permanently separate 2.4GHz and 5GHz into different SSIDs. For onboarding smart-home devices that only support 2.4GHz, the workaround is to temporarily disable 5GHz, connect the device, then re-enable it. Alternatively, you can use a third-party access point that supports split SSIDs.
USB storage sharing is available but limited. Because it uses SMB1, some operating systems block it by default for security reasons. Treat it as a “nice-to-have” for quick file sharing, but not a proper network storage solution.
Which Plusnet Plans Include Hub Two?
Every Plusnet Fibre (FTTC) plan comes with Hub Two, which uses the built-in DSL modem to connect directly to the phone socket. Full Fibre plans also ship with Hub Two, using the WAN port to connect to the ONT.
If you’re moving up from Plusnet’s older Hub One, the Hub Two is now the standard, and Plusnet focuses support around it. Hub One is effectively end-of-life, with community answers pointing out there’s no longer active development.
Pros, cons and what’s missing
Pros
Hub Two is easy to set up on both FTTC and FTTP. Wired Ethernet delivers consistent speeds. The interface is familiar and simple for anyone who has used a BT or Plusnet hub before. Plusnet bundles it as standard across all deals, so there’s no extra cost.
Cons
There’s no way to permanently split 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi, which can be awkward for setting up smart-home devices. The USB port relies on outdated SMB1, limiting its usefulness. And while the hardware has a phone socket, Plusnet doesn’t support a digital landline service through it.
What’s missing
Wi-Fi 6 or 6E support, which means less headroom for very busy households. No multi-gig Ethernet ports either, so you’re capped at 1Gbps per wired device. Advanced users will also find the interface limited—there’s no detailed QoS, VLAN control, or policy routing.
Plusnet Hub Two vs routers from other providers
- BT Smart Hub 2: Same underlying hardware, but BT enables Digital Voice. Wi-Fi performance is basically identical.
- Virgin Media Hub 5/5x: Both Virgin hubs have Wi-Fi 6 and faster Ethernet—2.5GbE on Hub 5 and 10GbE on Hub 5x. More headroom for high-throughput networking.
- Vodafone Ultra Hub / Ultra Hub 7: Vodafone’s premium tiers ship with Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7 routers, plus 4G backup, which is more advanced than Plusnet’s Wi-Fi 5 hub.
- Sky Max Hub: Wi-Fi 6 with a clear room-by-room performance guarantee when used with mesh pods. A better fit if you need reliable whole-home Wi-Fi out of the box.
Verdict
Hub Two is straightforward and reliable. On Ethernet it will match your plan’s speed. On Wi-Fi, it’s fine for everyday streaming, browsing, and gaming on Fibre or Full Fibre. But if you’re on faster tiers and relying on wireless, you may want to add a Wi-Fi 6/6E mesh system for extra performance.
The main limitations are the lack of band-splitting, the outdated USB storage feature, and the absence of modern wireless standards. For most households, that won’t matter too much—if you wire in desktops, consoles, or TV boxes, you’ll get consistent results.
If you need a digital phone line, Plusnet won’t provide one. If you want cutting-edge Wi-Fi or multi-gig wired speeds, you’ll need third-party kit. Otherwise, Hub Two does the job without fuss.
FAQ
Which router will Plusnet send me today?
Hub Two. It’s bundled with all current Fibre and Full Fibre packages.
How do I set up Hub Two on FTTP?
Connect the ONT to the hub’s WAN port with the supplied red Ethernet cable, power it on, wait for the online light, then join using the Wi-Fi details on the pull-out card.
Can I split 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi?
No. Hub Two doesn’t offer a permanent band-split option. The workaround is to disable 5GHz temporarily or use a separate access point.
Does the USB port support a printer or NAS?
No printer support. File sharing uses SMB1, which many systems block. It’s best for occasional file transfer only.
Does Plusnet offer Digital Voice?
No. The phone socket on Hub Two is inactive for consumers. If you need VoIP, you’ll need a separate service and device.