topic Re: Alternatives to Sky Max Hub in Broadband

Alternatives to Sky Max Hub

Andy313 — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 13:24:34 GMT

Just switched over from BT and having issues with WiFi across multiple devices.

including most importantly a set of TP av600 powerline adapters which I use for my office (never had any problems with BT set up).

the Ethernet lines work but that's about it.

patchy WiFi across the house and nonexistent in the office.

read all the posts on here and seems to me that it's the router (the white one) and fault.

what other router's could I use? Do I need to use the sky one ?

Re: Alternatives to Sky Max Hub

Chrisee — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 14:13:33 GMT

@Andy313 for the powerline adapters so try resetting them. You do not need to use the Sky hub unless you want to use the landline facility. While you can use a third part router you can as I do myself and use a third party WiFi set up running in Access Point mode connected to the hub..

If you decide on a third party router it is wise to choose one that supports DHCPv4 Option61 which Sky uses to authenticate users. Asus and Netgear models normally do. While you maybe lucky and get away with using the alternate DHCPv6 PD method most every router offers it isnt guaranteed as it depends on support at the exchange end which isnt a given.

Re: Alternatives to Sky Max Hub

Andy313 — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 15:39:26 GMT

Thanks @Chrisee

@should of added to my original post, that I have reset and paired the powerline adapters multiple times.

Will have a look at your access point suggestion.
would you be able to link this access point to the powerline adapters?

at this point I'm not sure what is so "max" about the sky hub .

the 4 year old bt hub I have just got rid of seems 100%. Better in every way.

Re: Alternatives to Sky Max Hub

Chrisee — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 17:40:59 GMT

@Andy313 I use a pair of powerline adapters for a link connected to my SR213 but they wouldn't work to link the pod extdnders Sky can provide as part of the Sky WiFi Max bundle..There is nothing thst weird with the ethernet stage on the white hub as far as I know.

Access point mode is something a lot of home WiFi systems offer like my own Deco system which means the routing duty stays with the Sky hub's WiFi which is simpler than a double NAT system. My set up uses an ethernst feed to the master unit which links to its 2 satellites by wifi. Not sure if using a powerline adapters could be used.

The okder black hubs support the Q TV boxes proprietary networking system which is no longer available and are probably a better match for customers with these boxes. The new hubs support WiFi6 and are triband when used with their matched pods. In my experience they have similar range as the older hubs when I ran back-to-back tests howevrr ny home is very wifi unfriendlyvand the reliance on a 5GHz closed signal to communicate with the pods simply doesn't work while my old Deco units give me 200Mb/s in every room which is ample.

The new hubs are a version of Comcasts (Sky US parent company) xfinity router thst uses Plume's networking technology.

Re: Alternatives to Sky Max Hub

Andy313 — Mon, 03 Mar 2025 18:45:18 GMT

Thanks again @Chrisee

@need to do some more research but sounds like it might be a way forward.

so frustrating that the hub does full work with power line adapters.

been using them for years with no issues whatsoever.

😤