EE120 Booster not working with new SR203 router

[Rob256]

I have just upgraded my sky broadband to a new superfast broadband package, and successfully installed the newly provided SR203 router. However, our EE120 Sky booster that had always worked with our old Sky router will not connect to the new one, despite going through the usual routine to do so (by pressing each device's WPS button for several seconds). 

Does the new SR203 router require a new booster, or should it be compatible with our EE120 booster?

[jamesn123]

Hi @Rob256 

The SR203 is not comaptible with the EE120 booster. The appropriate booster for your SR203 hub would be the 'Sky broadband booster' as seen here; https://www.sky.com/help/articles/sky-wifi-booster-what-do-you-need-help-with

[Rob256]

Hi @jamesn123 

Thanks for your reply. I had already viewed the article you pointed to but hadn't found it particularly helpful as it doesn't explicitly identify which extender or booster is compatible with specific Sky routers. 

However I have just managed to get the new SR203 router paired with my EE120 booster by playing around a little more and my system is now successfully working (so mirroring the broadband signal to my extension where we have a multi-room box). I found that although the WPS pairing (between SR230 and EE120 booster) wasn't previously working when the booster was in its normal operating position about 30 feet away, by moving it only a few feet away from the router for the WPS pairing it paired successfully. I was then able to unplug the booster and move it back to its normal more distant position, which then worked successfully as it now remembered the pairing, so everything working now!

[TimmyBGood]

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@Rob256 wrote:

it doesn't explicitly identify which extender or booster is compatible with specific Sky routers. 

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Each generation of Sky Hub has a matching booster release.  There's some crossover between the Q Hub and Sky Broadband Hub because those are both 802.11ac

[Rob256]

"Each generation of Sky Hub has a matching booster release.  There's some crossover between the Q Hub and Sky Broadband Hub because those are both 802.11ac"

Thank you @TimmyBGood , would you be able please to point me to where this is documented; although my system is now working I'd like to understand / educate myself for future reference.  

[TimmyBGood]

@Rob256 

The first part of my statement is simple fact, as illustrated.  The second part is based on experience in this forum.

The now-obsolete 2013 Sky Hub was 2.4Ghz-only 802.11n with a matching single band booster.  The 2023 Max Hub is 802.11.ax and designed only for its accompanying 'pod': it has a different software stack to all previous Hub hardware.  Both the 2016 Q Hub and the 2019 Sky Broadband Hub are built with the proprietary 'Q mesh' technology of that era.

[Chrisee]

@Rob256 the matching booster to each model of black hub is a similar shape but white as the picture @TimmyBGood posted.

Sky have not sold boosters for several years and all of the stock that matches your SR203 were loaned so should not be resold but some leak onto the used market. However Sky dont have help pages explaining what works with what as they send the correct model out to customers who qualify for a new booster - ie buying a bundle like Broadband Boost or have Sky Q boxes that are not connecting properly.

Because the SR203 supports the Sky Q mesh wifi networking they  need a booster with similar support.