Why is there a charge for not sending back old technology?

[Bradleybailey]

Hi there, 

I'm a little confused why after being with sky for four years, we are being charged for not returning an old router?

The charge is for £53, it's apparently an early termination charge and for not returning the router. 

This feels a little like a dig at customers for leaving. A sneaky way to charge some more. We moved house so it made sense to check the market. Also why is an old router needed back? Surely in four years the technology has updated a lot and it won't be reused anyway. 

I don't get why there is a charge for this, can you please explain?

[Mark39]

The router was loaned to you and must be returned at Sky's request, in accordance with the terms and conditions you agreed to.

[caesarome]

In case you are not aware you are not talking to Sky here but to other customers. 

With regards to this router it was only ever loaned to you which is why it needs to be returned, if you are able to do this and if you get and keep the proof of posting then any amount you are charged for not returning it can then be refunded on receipt of the proof. So should you be charged once you have returned it and have the proof then we can alert Sky's messaging team for you who will be able to issue the refund.

[PandJ2020]

Sometimes they don't want old routers returned - but this is only if explicitly agreed with Sky.

[TimmyBGood]

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@Bradleybailey wrote:

Also why is an old router needed back? Surely in four years the technology has updated a lot and it won't be reused anyway. 

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If that's a Sky Broadband Hub (released in 2019) then those are very much still in use, and will be reissued as replacements for faulty units on FTTC and older FTTP circuits.

Typically Q Hubs (from 2016) are no longer required to be returned as they will all become obsolete when PSTN ceases (currently there's a target date of December 2026 for this)

The Max Hub (2023) is now the default hardware for new Ultrafast provisioning.