Replacing Sky Broadband hub with third party router

[Daveys123]

Hey folks,

I just tried to upgrade through Sky from the hub to the WiFi max hub but it's not yet available as an upgrade in my area. They said to buy the WiFi max hub from Sky retail shop but I just read that wouldn't let me use the parental features on My Sky app.

I'm now looking at buying a third party router as while I'm reasonably tech savvy I want to get as close to a straight swap out as possible!

I have Superfast plus on MER connection. We get around 450mb down and 75up. About 12-15 devices streaming games and UHD tv content. Reasons for new router are;

Parental controls per device using the WiFi (got two Fortnite addicts in the house!)

Improved range over the Sky hub as got couple of rooms that struggle with connection at the back of the house.

Budget is £100-200. Any recommendations or advice greatly received!!

[Chrisee]

@Daveys123 sounds like you got Sky's B team. First point Sky have confiirmed to the forum Super Users that the Wifi Max is available in all areas the confusion is that currently if customers have Sky Q equipment or older Sky boosters the system will not allow an order to be placed. Second point Sky do not sell their hubs they are all supplied on loan. If you did find one for sale it wouldn't work as Sky have to configure it to work on your account. 

Having straightened that out Wifi Max is currently incompatable with Sky Q kit which is the usual reason why customers cannot order. If that doesn't apply to you please post again and a Super User will escalate your issue to the Sky team who support the forum. We have been expecting the system to be adapted to support Sky Q since launch last summer but to date it doesn.t.

You can use third party routers with Sky full fibre services but not all units can cope with Sky's authentication system. In essence Asus and Netgear routers can be connected but those from TP-Link dont have the necessary support at the moment. Using your own router means you lose the voice line facility and Sky wont provide support until the Sky hub is reinstalled.

[Daveys123]

@Chrisee  Thanks for the advice, much appreciated! I'm going to buy a new router as we've got Sky Q and can't wait to get the parental controls on the WiFi acces for my son's ps5 any longer!

I thought I had FTTC as the broadband settings show an MER connection and there id need a dsl router.....BUT.... I have an ONT box which makes me think I have FTTP and can get an ASUS RT AX series router and not a dsl router. 

any ideas on that? Thank you!!!

[Chrisee]

@Daveys123 if you have an ONT you can use most any Asus or Netgear unit as they support DHCPv4 Option61 Sky use on both FTTC and FTTP. Asus routers are widely used and if you search the forum you will find a walk through for most models.

[Eddy321]

Hi , so just looking at the conversation,  I have a sr203,  hub4.2,  and it's just awful,  so you mentioned a 3rd party hubs asus and another,  what models should I be looking at and also the vr2800 tp link needs a sky username and password,  how do we get this as I can't see sky helping,  I have had 9 openreach engineers and about 8 sky ones , losing the plot , 

[Floydianslip]

@Eddy321 i use this Asus router on FTTP and it has superb WiFi range👍

https://www.asus.com/uk/networking-iot-servers/wifi-routers/asus-gaming-routers/tuf-gaming-ax6000/

[Eddy321]

How did you get your username and password,  by the sounds of it you need this to connect to sky , I have fttc 

[Chrisee]

@Eddy321 there is no need to get a username or password DHCPv4 Option 61 connectscwith a standard string as follows anything@skydsl forvthe user and literally anything as the password Sky actually use the line id to know you are a customer. Assume you have a modem router if you have FTTC.

[Eddy321]

Hi , so people are saying use asus or billion router , and someone said a vr2800 tp link but they ran into trouble as it asked for a username and password,  do you have any ideas of router models,  , I have a sky hub 4.2,  with a phone voip , but I will dump my phone as I can't find a hub with that port , I just want the bb to work at the speed available on my line , , and no dropouts , 

[Chrisee]

@Eddy321 Sky's digital voice service only works with a Sky hub. TP-Link modem routers support DHCPv4 Option61 butbtheir other routers dont. Most Asus and Netgear models should be OK but check the specs before buying. 

[Eddy321]

so would this unit be fine , AC2800 Wireless MU-MIMO
VDSL/ADSL Modem Router Archer VR2800

[Eddy321]

Hi quick question,  so if I change the router to a 3rd party one ie vr2800,  will my sky q mini box work as its fed via WiFi,  ,  just a thought