New Sky Broadband Router Reviewed
Sky Broadband customers from today should receive a new Sky Hub rather than the previous Sagem 2504n router. The new router lays claim to offering the best wireless signal from the four major broadband providers, with Sky backing this up with their own testing.
We have taken the new Sky Hub for a quick trip around the block to see how its wireless signal performs, allowing people to see how different the performance is compared to the older Sagem 2504n model.
Click image for larger version
The same router is also used by Sky for its fibre services, with the router re-assigning one of LAN ports to connect to the Openreach FTTC modem.
Comments
Looks like they have a done a virgin... form over function.
Not much of a difference then.
Did you happen to test the difference in ADSL sync rates and reliability in comparison with the old Sagem?
On the ADSL and sync rates need to live with the router for a longer period to get a good feel for that side.
Review will update with more detail if we find anything significant in that field.
- andrew
- over 4 years ago
Andrew, are you going to publish a similar review on the BT homehub 3, I would like to know how good it is, still on the original white version now 5 years old and still going strong!
The HH3 definitely has great WiFi. If it's free why not get an upgrade ;)
Whats great about it? I roughly have 1 less bar per room with it - don't use it anymore. It was reported that it actually has a lower power output then the HH2 it replaced.
Great review for both content and style. *****
I prefer to buy my own router.
Just use the MAC code from your Sky box and a user/password generator and it will work.
otester it's not quite that simple on the Sky fibre products.
Surely on FTTC you can use any router as the modem is BTO supplied?
Sky uses MER based authentication which can cause issues with third party routers for the FTTC.
- andrew
- over 4 years ago
@ukhardy071
Since the alternatives are rather bare when it comes to FTTC I'd just use their modem and then add an access point.
Well played Sky having a Virgin Super Hub running a software revision with known WiFi issues. Good timing.
"the Sky Hub has the best wireless range (as measured by throughput)" - range is traditionally measured by distance, shirley ?
The range is traditionally measured by distance and don't call me Shirley!
Sky FTTC does not work like BT infinity. If you plug in your own router into the openreach modem chances are it will not work.
There's a couple of expensive Billions (maybe) that work and then custom firmware such as DDWrt can get it working.
Generally it's openreach modem - sky router - own router IF you want to use your own router. Without a fair amount of messing.
It's because Sky use MER authentication not PPOE. Most routers don't support MER. Even the ones that do often still don't work as Sky have customised it slightly beyond bog standard.
Since I have it and was writing next review today, switched the Sky device to its Ethernet router mode thinking it might work as an Ethernet router if the MER auth fails.
No such luck, was worth a go though.
- andrew
- over 4 years ago
Did you try turning the router on it side during your tests? That may be the cause of the speed difference in the lower rooms.
Sky's MER is quite simple on FTTC lines and is just a custom DHCP request. Draytek and Billion have firmware to support in beta.
Might be more complex on ADSL but most likely just the same as BE/O2 but with the custom DHCP.
much like the BT home hub £70 will be alot of money to spend on something that will only work with 1 ISP.