Own Router

[Jeanette01]

Hi. Is there any reason why we need to use the Router supplied by Sky? Is it possible to buy and use my own router that will power my devices better? Any advice would be appreciated. About to be told that they can't move me back to my Black router from horrible Sky Max Hub!!

[Chrisee]

@Jeanette01 yes you can use your own router if you want but however you will lose the digital voice line which requires a Sky hub to be directly connected and Sky will not provide support which means if there is a line issue you may need to reconnect the Sky hub to get help.

It is compatatively rare for a third party router to be plug and play so you will probably have to configure the unit yourself.  Not every router can connect directly to every Sky line so before buying check if your choice can be used on your line. Essiest way is to post here with details of your service ie full or partial fibre, whether you are in the UK of in Ireland and someone should be able to advise.

If your primary concern is improving WiFi coversge a simpler solution is to keep the Sky hub as the router turn iff itsxWiFi and buy a whole home WiFiset up and connect that by ethernet to the hub in access point mode. It is how my own system works.

[Jeanette01]

Yes, the aim is to improve the coverage so all devices function properly. I'm not sure I understand what a "whole home system" or "access point mode" mean so will have to do more research.

[Sanderce]

I do not use a sky router I am on full fibre and use my mesh system as my router & to provide all my WiFi my system connected straight out of the box

[Me134]

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@Jeanette01 wrote:

Yes, the aim is to improve the coverage so all devices function properly. I'm not sure I understand what a "whole home system" or "access point mode" mean so will have to do more research.

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As said, if you don't need the home telephone line then yes, you can use your own router and mesh system.

If you just need to improve the wifi performance then you can disable the Sky hub wifi and connect your own wifi mesh system rather than replace it entirely.

[Chrisee]

@Jeanette01 theterms "whole home WiFi system" or "WiFi Mesh system" are widely used. These systems like my own TP-Kink Deco system come in kits with typically 2 or 3 satellite units. They are controlled by an app and are quite simple to set up. You connect one of the units by Etherenet to the Sky hub and then place the other units round your home - mine are in the hall and on a landing. Ideally you want to run the system in Access Point mode as thst simplifies things as there is only one router.

[Jeanette01]

Ok. Been into Curry's to have a look at routers. So basically what you mean is to piggyback my own router into the Sky one. My only question then is - how or where do you switch off the wi fi from the Sky Max hub?

[Sanderce]

I would buy a mesh system, from various manufacturers, tp link or netgear,  you need to set them in AP  or access point if you use the sky hub.

They will still work but there may be issues, I won't go into technical details, just set them into ap mode. if I was you I would name your WiFi as something that means something to you, and set the password to something secure and you can remember      Complete the set up. Then go into my sky go to sky hub and WiFi you can then turn off that WiFi . This has now two benefits if you change your provider your WiFi settings remain the same. If you don't need the phone line and you are on a full fibre service, you can just get rid of the sky hub and set your own system as the router/ WiFi provider as any fibre connection is not tied to a single router provided by the supplier.

I use a netgear mesh system it provides 3 WiFi networks one for us to use, 1 for all smart devices and a guest network.

[Me134]

@Jeanette01 Just to clarify a couple of things from @Sanderce s post, it's the MySky app on your smart phone you use to access the Sky Hub. Also, do not get rid of the Sky hub but keep it safe, whenever you change supplier, Sky will want it back or they will charge you for it.

[Jeanette01 · Accepted solution]

Thanks to all of you for the great information. O feel a lot happier today knowing there is a solution which won't cost me an arm and a leg. Annoyed at Sky for broken promises which after 30+ years is not good. Never mind, I'll get this working properly soon.

[Sanderce]

Thanks for that I forgot to mention that mine is back in its box safely stored away