The Amazon Echo won't connect to BT broadband - and customers are outraged

UK consumers have finally got their hands on the artificially intelligent Amazon Echo device but not all of them are impressed.

The cylinder-shaped device, which costs £149, has been slammed by BT broadband customers who are struggling to connect it to the internet.

More than 140 Amazon Echo reviews have been left by UK customers on Amazon's website but dozens of them are negative.

Several unhappy customers have complained that Echo - a smart speaker that can play music, provide the news, give directions, set alarms, control lights, and even tell jokes - won't connect to their BT internet router.

Amazon user "Fiona" wrote on Monday: "Sorry Amazon, you have let yourselves down badly here. As others have already said, it will not connect to internet if you have a BT hub, which it needs to do to work!!"

Amazon is acknowledging the problem with customers that call up and ask what's going on, according to some of the Amazon Echo reviews.

Kevin Warner, another Amazon customer, said "After trying for several hours I called customer support. I was told they were aware of an issue with BT Hub users... why wasn't that pointed out before I made the purchase? I'm a Kindle owner and have been very happy with it but this experience with the Echo will definitely make me think twice before buying any Amazon products, especially first generation products. VERY DISAPPOINTED, all I have is a piece of modern art sitting on my table, glaring and laughing at me!"

The complaints were also flying in on Twitter.

There is apparently a way round the issue. Mobile analyst Ben Wood tweeted the manual settings for Echo set up with BT home hub, saying that they worked for him. Others responded, however, saying that this set up process is too complex for the average user.

Amazon did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment.