Sky SR 203 router problems

[Paulmckendry]

I have an SR 203 router as part of the Sky Broadband Ultrafast 1 package.

I'm having constant problems with poor WiFi coverage and have tried a couple of different boosters which haven't really helped much. The router is located on a table in the downstairs hallway with no other items near it to block the signal path. 

Things are fine for a  short while following a router reboot and I'm getting speeds up to 130 Mbps on my laptop over WiFi. That generally only lasts a few hours before things slow right down to around 30 Mbps on the ground floor with no coverage at all in some of the upstairs bedooms. 

I'm just wondering if this need to reboot on a daily basis is possibly a sign that there is a problem with the rooter itself? Would a replacment or router upgrade help things?

As it stands I'm close to cancelling my account to try another provider but would like to stick with Sky if possible. 

I'd be really keen to hear from anyone who's had similar problems or anyone who knows a bit more about these things. Thanks 🙂

[Chrisee · Accepted solution]

@Paulmckendry unlikely its a dodgy router what is most likely happening is the reboot causes the hub to find the least congested wifi channels which will work for a while but in many areas you neighbour's routers will be doing the samecthing and the interference returrns.

Wifi is great especially if you live in a wifi friendly home miles away from neighbours but most of us dont. We have houses with solid walls and have loads on neighbours all of whom want to use wifi. However there are things you can do. Assuming you have full fibre your Sky hub doesn't need to be near the ONT unit, the two link by an ethernet cable which can be 100m long without losing speed. It does need a cable but consider  if its practical to move the hub to a more central position in your home, while doing that see if you can mount is as high as you can in the room well above things like radiators and furniture which add to the problem.

Wifi boosters are pretty useless but you can do as I have done which is to turn off the hub's wifi and use a whole home wifi mesh solution. Mine cost under £100 and has 3 satellites which give me a minimum 100Mb/s on each of my 3 levels ny system is a TP-Link Deco M4 system set up in access point mode but there is plenty of choice.

Sky have just launched a package called Wifi Max which comes with a new router and up to 3 "pods" which act like my Deco units. I tested this myself and while it does extend coverage over the SR203 it did not improve on my current system to be worth £10 per month ( you can get offers) but it does come with a higher wifi guarantee speed and free engineers checks who though.

There are other ways you can improve speeds but hopefully that gives you a few things to consider

[Paulmckendry]

@Chrisee many thanks for your reply.

Thats good to know that I can use a  3rd party router, I wasn't sure . I assume they're reasonably straightforward to set up?

 This one looks as it might be worth trying?

Thanks again,

Paul

[Paulmckendry]

Managed to find the same make/model as you mentioned above so I'll go for it myself.

It'll be fantastic to finally get this sorted😅

[Paulmckendry]

@Chrisee Just wanted to say a big thank you. Got the Deco M4 system installed and it has totally tranformed things - fast and stable connection throughout the house. Amazing actually👍

[cfc4life]

I have the same ongoing problem with poor SR203 Wi-Fi (large house and neighbour Wi-Fi interference) this despite an engineer’s visit and 2 Sky boosters. Quite simply the SR203 is old tech, and I am fed up with this issue. My contract is due for renewal shortly so although I’d rather stay with Sky the engineer was not convinced the new Wi-Fi Max would solve the problem despite being able to operate on diff Wi-Fi channels, it has a short-range strength and you need in my case at least 3 boosters, which are different to the ones for the SR203, also Sky have limited stock apparently.
So, my question is to those who know better than myself if I go down the third-party route does that effect anything else, i.e., Wi-Fi calling, landline etc.
Thanks in advance for any help.

[Chrisee]

@cfc4life the issue is simply there is limited bandwidth available for wifi and it is getting very crowded. The 2.4GHz band can carry 3 or 4 at a squeeze signals before you get interference. The higher frequency 5GHz band is less prone to interference as it is shorter range but in some situations like blocks of flats can be an issue. The latest 6GHz band is even shorter range and starts to have issues with other licensed users. The regulations strictly limit the frequencies and more importantly the power router manufacturers can use.

Modern mesh wifi systems can overcome this issue to a point by using multiple units and clever firmware but are not immune but seem the best solution but can get pricy if you want the highest speeds. However not all interference is from wifi networks other low powered wireless systems use the same frequencies so things like wireless headphones and speakers can be an issue and dont show up on the type of kit Sky's broadband engineers use. You can download wifi Analyzer apps which show the wifi signals in range with signal strength and channel.

Wifi is great where it works but it isnt magic and is subject to the laws of physics whatever Sky's marketing department wants us to believe.

[TimmyBGood]

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@cfc4life wrote:

 it has a short-range strength

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All domestic WiFi has 'short-range strength' because it's regulated to be that way and the hardware is typically designed to be omnidirectional.  There's also an inherent contradiction between signal 'strength' (as in its ability to pass through building fabric) and data speed: as @Chrisee said, laws of physics generally do apply.

[cfc4life]

Thank you for the replies, I understand the basics of Wi-Fi just disappointed with the Sky SR203 and associated boosters as I thought that would be a working set up.
I do not mind spending a bit more to get better Wi-Fi coverage (ex. ring cameras dropping in and out are a nightmare) but was asking if a third-party mesh set up would improve my situation or make it worse.

Im not looking for Wifi perfection just a practical working system.

Thanks in advance

[Rowley456]

I've been having issues for a long while finally rang sky and they sent an engineer.  He said there has been a known issue for 3 years and that it's too big a job to roll out a fix.  But can ne fixed in the home, he sorted ours and touch wood it's been amazing, hopefully it will last.

[capriboy]

This sounds like I wrote this myself

my problems are exactly the same

i I have an engineer booked in

probably be working when he gets here

and they will say 

need to reboot or something inconclusive

will shall see

[Chrisee]

@capriboy hopefully thecengineer can measure the wifi signal strength around your home and advise on what can be done but unfortunately WiFi has limits set by the laws of physics. 

[Rowley456]

Hi my engineer visit fix actually lasted one day, it's now probably worse.