Short answerEE is owned by BT Group and launched the UK’s first 4G network in 2012. EE data SIMs for routers are sold as business data, IoT and fixed IP SIMs, directly and through resellers. Check EE’s signal at the exact spot the router will sit before you commit.
EE was formed from Orange and T-Mobile in the UK and became part of BT Group. It switched off 3G in early 2024, so EE SIMs today use 4G and 5G for data.
EE SIMs for routers
- Business data SIMs: monthly allowances for offices, shops and sites. Router Store lists EE business SIM cards.
- Fixed IP EE SIMs: a static public address for remote access to CCTV, PLCs and routers. See EE fixed IP SIMs and our fixed IP guide.
- IoT SIMs: pooled data and management for fleets of devices, sometimes with access to other networks. See IoT and multi-network SIMs.
APN settings
Most current routers read the right settings from an EE SIM automatically. Business, IoT and fixed IP SIMs from resellers often use their own APN, which comes with the SIM. Our page on EE APN settings explains how to enter them.
Routers and bands
Any router sold for the UK or Europe should work on EE. For best results it should support the main UK 4G bands, listed in our UK 4G bands guide. A Cat 6 or higher router can combine EE carriers for more speed where the network offers it; see LTE categories.
Checking coverage before you commit
Use two sources and then test on site. Ofcom’s Map Your Mobile checker compares all four networks for a postcode. Each network also publishes its own map. Neither tells you what a router inside a cabinet will see, so put a SIM in a phone or router at the exact spot and read the values with our signal checker.
Frequently asked questions
Does EE still have 3G?
No. EE completed its 3G switch-off in early 2024. EE still runs 2G for now, mainly for older phones and devices.
Can I use an EE phone SIM in a router?
It may connect, but check the plan allows router use. A data-only business SIM is the safer choice.
Is BT Mobile the same as EE?
BT Mobile uses the EE network, so coverage is the same.
NANick Appleby
Nick Appleby has worked in UK telecoms since 1998, starting at BT, and has spent most of that time on cellular routers, data SIMs and the antennas that connect them for business and industrial sites. He writes 4G SIM to explain how the networks and the kit actually behave, in plain English.