Sky Broadband is an ADSL broadband provider, where the broadband is supplied via a landline. It is not be be confused with dial-up, as you can still use your telephone at the same time, and there will be no interferance, as your connection is split using an ADSL filter.
Packages and prices
There are currently 3 sky broadband packages
Sky Broadband Base
Sky Broadband base provides you with a connection of up to 2mb and has a 2GB monthly usage limit.
The standard set up fee for new customers joining online is £30 and £60 for existing customers taking broadband only!!!
MONTHLY TOTAL £0
Sky Broadband Mid
Sky Broadband Mid provides you with a connection of up to 8mb and has a 40GB monthly usage limit.
The standard set up fee for new customers joining online is £30 and for existing customers taking broadband only!!!
MONTHLY TOTAL £5
Sky Broadband Max
Sky Broadband Max provides you with a connection of up to 16mb and has an unlimited monthly usage limit.( subject to Fair Usage Policy)
The standard set up fee for new customers joining online is £30 and £0 for existing customers taking broadband only!!!.
When I subscribed to Sky Broadband, I received a rather large box, which included the following items.
1x Sky Wireless router 3x ADSL filters 1x Ethernet cable 1x Internet wire( back of router into phone-line) 2x Router Stand 1x Sky Broadband Installation CD 1X Power Supply
Setting up
Setting up Sky Broadband is very easy.
The first step is to connect the ADSL filter into every phone socket which is being used in your home, to prevent any interference from the broadband
The internet wire has then to be connected to the back of the sky router, and into one of your phone sockets, in the ADSL socket.
Power the router, sit back, and enjoy what Sky Broadband has to offer, after choosing one of the following :
WIRED OPTION *If you decided to use your router WIRED, then connect the Ethernet wire into socket 1 ( nearest power socket) and then to the computer's ethernet socket
WIRELESS OPTION
The step above is not required
However, to be wireless your computer must either be wireless enabled, or have a wireless dongle
The CD
When you get your Sky Broadband welcome pack ,inside will be a Set up CD. This CD includes a step by step tutorial on how to set up your broadband service. The CD also include a year's free subscription to McAfee.
Going over the monthly usage?
So, you are worried about going over the monthly usage? Chances are, you probably will never go over your usage, but if you do, you will be given plenty of warning, so you will know when you need to start keeping an eye on things. I have now had Sky Broadband for about 15 months, and I have never went over the Monthly usage limit, and that is with MAX, so there is probably little chance of you going over the limit!
Actually getting connected- my experience!
When you move broadband services, you are really supposed to get a MAC code- this offers a smooth transision from your previous provider, to your new provider. At the time I switched from cable broadband, my previous provider did not offer a MAC code. As a result, I was without broadband for a few weeks. This must be noted that this is nothing to do with sky broadband. When I signed up, I was given an activation date. On this date, I would have to keep my router switched on ( comes before the activation date ) to allow the broadband signal to come through. On the day of my activation, my Sky Broadband went live around 9am, which is very early in the morning, meaning I had the full day to get back on track with my internet. The connection and activation process was pain free, and excellent!
The advertised speed, and the speed you get!
The main question people ask is that " it says I should get xmb and I only get ymb" . Remember it says, that the speed is up to , which means you can get any speed up to the advertised speed. The actual speed you get, is dependant on the distance you are from the exchange. Therefore, if you live close to your exchange, the speed you receive will be much closer to the advertised speed, than someone who is much further away
I am currently on the Sky Broadband MAX package, which is advertised around 16mb. I however, due to my distance from the exchange, get around 4-5 meg, which for me, is good, as it is fast enough for me
What else do I get?
When you get Sky Broadband, you also get an email service, which is powered by Google. You also get Sky Store and Share, an easy way to keep your files safe. These two features are helpful, and the email service is very good
What is required?
To be a Sky Broadband customer, you must have Sky TV, and an active BT landline.
My Opinion and why I chose Sky Broadband
I was previously with cable broadband,and at the time, I was paying £18 for my broadband. I began to see alot of the 3 for £26 promotion for Sky at the time, and had to admit that it sounded great. For the fact I got all the 6 TV mixes, 8mb broadband, and Sky Talk freetime. However, I wanted to have the bonus of having no monthly usage ( subject to Fair Usage Policy). We contacted Sky and began the order process. The team on the phone were very friendly, and assisted us through the ordering process. We then contacted the cable broadband company, to get a MAC code, but due to problems, they could not supply us with one. So, we were broadband-less for a few weeks. But , we received all our Sky products and they have been of top quality I have had Sky Broadband for over a year now, and have to say, I have had no major problems. The connection does drop sometimes, but that is easily sorted by rebooting the router, which is fully online again within 5 minutes. I have never needed to contact Sky Broadband customer support, about any problems, because, well , I have had none. I definately recommend Sky Broadband, as it offers good speeds, at a low price! ____________________________
Customer Service When we ordered Sky Broadband ,the team on the phone were very helpful,and very informative, and clearly guided us towards my most suited package
Setting Up I thought that the Sky Broadband setting up process was as easy as ABC. Supplied was both a CD with on disc tutorial, with animated instructions, some rather common sense, like, plug the plug into the wall, and a book, with pictured instructions, which make the setting up process easy. I also found the installation of the McAfee Security Suite- which comes with Sky Broadband, again, very easy to use
Connection and Activation date The connection to Sky Broadband was smooth, and my broadband was activated very early on, and on the day it said it would be connected. The activation service was something I was pleased with
On-going service The service I have received from Sky Broadband is great. I have maintained a high speed, for me anyway, which is around 4-5 meg. However, the router does need to be reboot a few times to reset the connection, but apart from that, the on-going service, and speed has remained up to the high standard in which I received when I first connected
Email service I have found the email service from sky reasonably good. You get your own @sky.com email. However, recently, Sky had their email service powered with Google, and that resulted in the emails having a major outage. Thankfully, that was resolved very quickly, and emails are back to the standard they were when I first joined Sky Broadband Max. This is the only fault I have with the email service
Store and Share service I cannot comment on this feature, as I have not yet used it
I most certainly think that Sky Broadband is value for money. For the possibility of getting up to 8mb broadband for £5, and up to 16mb for £10, compared to other broadband providers in the UK, is great value for money. Paying £10 for Sky Broadband MAX is more value for money, as we have 2 computers in the household, and that computer can connect wirelessly, at the same time as I am using it wired. I definately recommend Sky Broadband as a must - if you have Sky TV, It is definately worth you while adding Sky Broadband to your package. It is the afforable broadband, which is exclusive to Sky TV customers. Another 5 out of 5 star from me!!
this review was accurate on April 2008
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Advantages: A cheap broadband solution for basic Internet access if you have Sky TV Disadvantages: A very low quality Internet service (too poor for gaming) with atrocious call centre technical support
Thog 13.10.2007 (13.10.2007)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Sky Broadband
Apr 13th, 2008
exceptional by (4%):
very helpful by (96%):
