Actual positive feedback on Sky

[SavorettiMoretti]

Been having issues with broadband drop outs/WIFI around the house, it's been more noticeable recently as like most of us are working from home. I can get FTTP with BT but reluctant to move as I'm sure Sky will have it soon.

I've tried purchasing a new router however had similar issues so sent it back. I'm now running most things through the network switch however it's nice to move around when working from home right?!

I've been a Sky customer for 11 years, don't pay a massive amount but got Sky VIP Platinum. Rang up today to see what they could do and for no extra cost i've walked away with:

• Sky 4.2 router
• Sky broadband boost
• Sky booster

Now I know Sky's kit doesn't have a very good reputation but it's got to be better than what i've got and I just thought it was great customer service!

 

[icemanonline]

Some nice positivity in present situation.... Good.... Well done Sky...

Ice

 

[SavorettiMoretti]

Next question, is it better to hard wire the booster? Maybe one for @mushii ?

I'll need to do this through power line adapters. My house has been rewired so they seem to work really well, don't lose a lot of speed at all.

 

[Deleted member 24354]

TLDR Version
Its a case of suck-it and see to be honest. Powerline (when it works well) generally will provide a better back-haul to the router than wireless but its an extra step to go wrong or have problems. Also Powerline dont always play nice with other companies wireless boosters.

Long Version
As you have found out, the laws of physics dont change by buying another brand of wireless router. They all pretty much operate at maximum legal transmission power. They may use different chipsets and have different aerial configuration but its the power level that will provide distance and penetration through solid structures.

As you are doing, the only real way to improve wifi is to add additional access points (Sky Boosters) that act as local transmitters. The problem then is how these local transmitters talk to your router. They can either use radio waves (wifi) or they can use wires. If the wifi is not great to start with then, if you are using the booster wirelessly, it needs to be closer to the wireless router so that they can communicate. Hence you dont really get the boost in coverage that you need. Alternatively if you can wire the two together, you have an unimpeded flow of data and distance between the two units is less important. What you want to do is replace that wire with powerline adapters which effectively use the house wiring as 'the wire'. Whilst this is great in theory, 'noisy' equipment plugged into the circuit (cheap Chinese USB chargers are a typical case) can cause interference in the signals between the two powerline adapter and slow-down or worst case stop the two talking to one another.

Ideally a Cat X cable between the Booster (AP) and the router would be the ideal solution, but well performing powerlines may make a suitable alternative.

Good luck and let us know how you go on

 

[ChuckMountain]

I'll need to do this through power line adapters. My house has been rewired so they seem to work really well, don't lose a lot of speed at all.

What do you mean don't lose a lot of speed. Most decent powerline adapters of the 1000+ advertised variety should be able to maintain enough throughput to max a FTTC Internet connection. However, for anything beyond like normal LAN and FTTP they are going to struggle to get past 150-200Mbps real-world speed.

So it might be ok for the current solution and better than piggybacking the WiFi as you will lose speed but might need to be reconsidered if you upgrade to FTTP.

 

[SavorettiMoretti]

Ideally a Cat X cable between the Booster (AP) and the router would be the ideal solution, but well performing powerlines may make a suitable alternative.

Thanks for the lengthy reply

Definitely going to run a direct cable in the long term but for now i'll test with power line.

 

[SavorettiMoretti]

There is a c

What do you mean don't lose a lot of speed.

There is a small loss in speed (couple of mbps) between what is going into the router vs what the laptop is receiving.

 

[ChuckMountain]

There is a small loss in speed (couple of mbps) between what is going into the router vs what the laptop is receiving.

Then yes sticking by existing advice, powerlines might be ok for now but don't consider a solution for any faster services.

 

[SavorettiMoretti]

I've just ran a test actually, even plugging directly into the router I get a loss of speed vs what's the downstream

 

[ChuckMountain]

Where are you getting the downstream figure from to compare to?

Internet speed tests are also always a bit hit and miss

 

[SavorettiMoretti]

Direct from the router status page.

 

[ChuckMountain]

Ah, that's the sync speed so your actual speed will always be a bit below, that's normal.

 

[psychopomp1]

I can get FTTP with BT but reluctant to move as I'm sure Sky will have it soon.

Sky do sell Openreach FTTP now, is Sky's website not offering you any Ultrafast products? If not, call Sky's dedicated FTTP team on 0333 759 4255 or 0330 041 3000 as Sky are still having teething issues in offering FTTP online.

 

[SavorettiMoretti]

Sky do sell Openreach FTTP now, is Sky's website not offering you any Ultrafast products? If not, call Sky's dedicated FTTP team on 0333 759 4255 or 0330 041 3000 as Sky are still having teething issues in offering FTTP online.

Been phoning every week

 

[SavorettiMoretti]

Conclusion is that the booster does not like powerline adapters.... this is fine though, i've just moved it somewhere else and kept the direct cable method to my desk.

 

[Deleted member 24354]

Also Powerline dont always play nice with other companies wireless boosters.

It is not an uncommon problem, unfortunately.