topic Re: Weak/intermittent signal in Broadband

Weak/intermittent signal

Sandra121 — Sat, 08 Mar 2025 04:16:02 GMT

I've got WiFi max. Not that sure why it's better than normal, but it was only a few quid extra, so just went and got it. I have this fluctuating WiFi signal, where the Internet seems speedy enough when it's working. But it's often not. Yes, the problem room is the furthest one from the router. I get how the distance matters. Trouble is, the provided network cable from this little unmovable openreach wall box to the router is only 6-8 feet long, so not much hope of trying it in a different room. Unless it's the hallway and I'm not trusting that with grandkids running around. I know a longer cable is a pretty sure fix, but they don't seem cheap. That or a booster or some thing.

Don't I get some benefits from the WiFi max package to sort this out? Even if it's just a nice long cable. I'm sure they have those.. 😁

Re: Weak/intermittent signal

Chrisee — Sat, 08 Mar 2025 06:52:49 GMT

@Sandra121 the WiFi Max package allows for you to be lent up to 3 wifi extenders so call Sky and ask for one. If you need more than one they normally send an engineer out before sending those.

A longer cable from the openreach connection should not be expensive there are 2 possible types. If the Openreach box has lights you require an ethernet cable but for a box without lights you need a DSL cable both cost around £10.for a 10m length.

Re: Weak/intermittent signal

Sandra121 — Sun, 09 Mar 2025 22:26:19 GMT

Thanks for the advice. I now have a wi-fi extender I bought myself. Yay for Amazon sunday deliveries.

Mixed feelings about it. Everything works well now, so it's fine. But I now clearly see why I was having trouble, whereas I didn't have that problem on V*rgin M*dia, ever.

It's that A) The routers are awful, or B) They're fine and I just got a bad one.

Unless I stand right next to the hub/router, it never shows full bars for connectivity. On the other extreme, the wi-fi extender (working off of a SECONDHAND signal) blasts full bars to the end of my 60-foot garden. The router itself had ZERO garden connectivity (I know it's not contracted to, but it highlights the difference in transmission strength) and the router had a dead zone in one bedroom which is now full bars off of the extender.

This is the very same signal the hub is putting out, of course. So I think maybe someone needs to look at their transmitting methods and technology. A £10 extender mass-produced in China sending a used signal 60 feet, plus about 15 feet of the house and through two walls can do it.

Re: Weak/intermittent signal

Sandra121 — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 03:59:23 GMT

Isn't there some cooling off period? My service started on March 1st. Even though I've self-paid to fix my issue, I'm unimpressed how they've knowingly and in full knowledge mis-sold me a bad router with words and spiel that make it out to be the better and faster option, AND CHARGED EXTRA FOR IT. Very underhand and sneaky and I don't like that. It's like being conned in the street and voluntarily deciding you want to give them more money. No, ta.

Re: Weak/intermittent signal

Chrisee — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 07:17:55 GMT

@Sandra121 Sky haveca 31 day cooling off period see https://www.sky.com/help/articles/cancel-sky-broadband

Re: Weak/intermittent signal

Sandra121 — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 17:01:41 GMT

I looked at new Internet packages from other providers and, honestly, no-one's really offering anything better price-wise. So now I got it working well through my (self-bought) extender, it'd be silly to leave just to prove a point. And that point would only be to myself, as no massive corporation is going to notice or care much about any one individual leaving. I guess this thread is concluded.

Re: Weak/intermittent signal

JASONCAROL — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 11:52:48 GMT

Hi Sandra - which wifi extender did you get on Amazon as I'm having very weak signal as soon as I'm out the room where hub is.

Thanks!

Jason

Re: Weak/intermittent signal

JimM1 — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 12:36:41 GMT

@JASONCAROL as @Sandra121 has the sky Max hub, that is the white upright version and is linked below for you to see.

https://www.sky.com/help/articles/broadband-diagnostic-which-sky-hub