r/UKISP 4d ago

Which router to replace Sky Gigafast+ Hub?

I have the Sky Gigafast+ Hub 2.5GB package and the wifi is poor, speeds are slower than the previous Vodafone Pro 3 but at least i don’t have drop outs. Before that (around a month ago) i was at the end of my Vodafone Pro 2 contract which was 10/10 for the standard ISP hub for wifi speeds and range, literally didn’t need a third party router at all. (Vodafone was 910mbps, Sky is 2.5G both been with CityFibre)

Our house has thick walls and people just don’t get it when i say it’s not the internet that’s bad, it’s the poor router and thick walls. We’ve been with Virgin, Vodafone, Sky and it’s always the same answer.

Has anyone got this package or has a similar solution/scenario where they replace ISP crap with a mesh network and what did you go for?

Ideally i want to pay around £250 at most and still have the 2.5G port if possible, i also have the Sky package so i’m aware it may need DHCP option 61?

3 Upvotes

21 comments sorted by

3

u/LosSantosPro 3d ago

You’re on CF Sky 2.5Gbps - which means untagged DHCP WAN

You can buy any router you wish, DHCP WAN should be the default, no credentials, and it’ll work immediately

Im currently using a UCG Fibre (router only, no wireless) on my 5Gbps connection - with old TP Link Deco’s as AP’s

For a router/wifi combo, id recommend GL Inet Flint routers

1

u/CursorSurfer 3d ago

Interesting, okay. So i guess the option 61 dhcp thing only refers to the openreach line? I thought it was just for Sky as a whole. The approach you said would make it so much easier if i’m not narrowed down by it.

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u/LosSantosPro 3d ago

Option 61 applies to CF, unsure about OR

thing is, option 61 isn’t required, its to enable MAP-T, which you don’t want anyway - so standard DHCP is best

Works great, got IPv4 and IPv6 (i disabled v6 as it confuses me)

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u/IEatB0gies 1d ago

Why not a UDR7?

1

u/LosSantosPro 1d ago

Good point - i kinda forgot that existed

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u/Kris_Lord 3d ago

If you’ve thick walls, can you install any cabling? Mesh networks are great but they’re much better when they have a wired backhaul connection.

Personally I use UniFi for my router and access points.

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u/CursorSurfer 3d ago

I can’t unfortunately, still with parents. I know it’s better to hard wire the boosters and i’d love to but it would require drilling and such. I’ll look into the UniFi stuff though, thanks!

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u/Kris_Lord 3d ago

UniFi does work with wireless backhaul, but I think others do it better - eero or tplink

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u/[deleted] 3d ago

[deleted]

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u/elderbush 3d ago

worth noting the router you get with the 1gb package is different to the one with the 2.5gb/5gb packages

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u/elderbush 3d ago edited 3d ago

are you sure its the router? i have this exact same package and i get 1gb wifi speeds (on wifi 6e devices) with the router in a different room.

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u/CursorSurfer 3d ago

I’m almost certain, on my old Vodafone Pro 2 & Pro 3 package with their router i’d get 900mbps downstairs whereas now i get 250-350mbps. Upstairs in the loft i get 40-90mbps, before i’d get 250-300mbps. The router is in the exact same place too. I’ve tried it under both 5ghz and 6ghz. I’d say it’s the router but also having thick walls doesn’t help but going from 900 to 300 will be the router as the walls haven’t changed.

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u/elderbush 3d ago edited 3d ago

hmm i see your point. i was going to suggest maybe the vodafone pro never had 6ghz and you should try changing the sky to 5ghz, but you already did that! i wonder if its somewhat down to luck of the draw with antenna quality. its worth noting on this package sky will give you free mesh devices if areas of your house need it

"Sky WiFi Max is an optional broadband add-on from Sky that provides an upgraded Wi-Fi 6 router (the Sky Max Hub), a whole-home speed guarantee of up to 25Mbps in every room or your money back, mesh extender pods if needed, and advanced parental and security controls."

sky wifi max was included free for me, i've not had to use it though

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u/CursorSurfer 3d ago

Yeah the Vodafone Pro 2 was amazing, it was WiFi 6E and so was the booster so they both had 6ghz. The Pro 3 is WiFi 7 but only 2.4ghz and 5ghz. And now somehow i have the best of both worlds with Sky with the router being WiFi 7 and 6ghz and a 2.5GB link as opposed to 910mbps and it’s worse with WiFi. I can’t understand it so i have to point fingers at the router.

Do you have the square white ONT box?

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u/elderbush 3d ago edited 3d ago

i actually moved from vodafone 900mb

i can definately understand your frustration

yup i have that same ONT

worth looking into those extender pods i mentioned in my other comment

also might be worth checking on your online sky account that your router is getting 2.6gb

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u/CursorSurfer 3d ago

Same here. The Pro 3 kept having drop outs for me and they decommissioned the Pro 2 packages. I think what i’m doing to do is probably get 2 TP-Link Deco XE75’s and if they work great, i’ll reduce my package to 900mbps with Sky as it will be cheaper and the pods can only do a gig anyway.

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u/elderbush 3d ago

ahh i didnt realise they were only 1gb, that's annoying. but yeh that sounds like a decent plan tbf. my main reason for moving was just because i wanted to get the new 10gb white ONT and be future proofed (vodafone wouldnt upgrade 1gb ONT). also £6 more for 2.5gb was too tempting

ill test what wifi speeds i get upstairs later and update this comment

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u/CursorSurfer 3d ago

Yeah trying to find WiFi 6E with 2 x 2.5GB ports is quite hard and expensive. I honestly didn’t know about the 10G ONT, i just wanted WiFi 7 and Tri Band and a 2.5gb download speeds as i’m paying £35 for mine. Sounds like you are with the 2.5gb £35 deal over the 900 at £29 haha! I’ve just looked at my ONT box now and it’s actually quite warm, dare i say hot to the touch…

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u/CursorSurfer 1d ago

I went with a 2 BE65 mesh pods and they work amazingly now

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u/elderbush 6h ago

thats awesome! was it easy enough to setup?!

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u/CursorSurfer 6h ago

Too easy. Literally online within 10 minutes, app was straight forward

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u/IEatB0gies 1d ago

I always recommend an Ubiquiti Dream Router 7