It’s been a while since BT announced any broadband upgrades, but something new is on its way. Express.co.uk has spotted pictures of a brand-new Wi-Fi router, the Smart Hub 3, which looks set to offer improved connectivity and that’s not all. This device, which is starting to roll out to homes from today, comes packed with bonus extras, including the ability to automatically detect harmful websites and issue a warning before any online infections can occur.

It can also spot if hackers are attempting to take control of smart devices, such as internet-powered cameras, in the home and proactively block suspicious activity.

A full view of any threats it has found can then be viewed via the Hub Threat Protect platform on the MyBT app.

These upgrades should help homes worried about online security stay one step ahead of any attacks.

Of course, the main focus of any router is download speeds, and this new device should ensure the whole home is covered thanks to Complete Wi-Fi Plus, which extends the signal. That should mean fewer dead spots in rooms.

As the pictures reveal, the Smart Hub 3 has a minimalist design with a small BT logo in the centre.

Wi-Fi 7 offers improved reliability and supports faster speeds. That said, most connected devices in the majority of homes don’t yet have Wi-Fi 7 compatibility, and Wi-Fi 6 is a very capable system that is far superior to older Wi-Fi 5 and W-Fi 4 products.

BT’s new Smart Hub 3 will be available to all new customers and some existing users who could be eligible for an upgrade.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WI-FI 6 AND WI-FI 7?

Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 are new wireless networking standards, but the very latest Wi-Fi 7 platform is faster and more advanced. Wi-Fi 6 improves speed, efficiency, and performance and is much better than older Wi-Fi 5 and 4 routers.

However, Wi-Fi 7 builds on this with wider 320 MHz channels and lower latency, making it ideal for gaming, 8K streaming, and smart homes.

Wi-Fi 6 suits most users today, while Wi-Fi 7 is more future-ready overall.