Sky Ultrafast G.fast Broadband and 3rd Party Routers

[Mattlawd]

Hello everyone.

I am currently on Sky's Superfast broadband package (FTTC). I have a Sky Q, Sky Q mini box and Sky router (SR203).

When using the Sky router, I was getting considerable ping fluctuations and hence jitter whilst gaming resulting in very frequent lag spikes (every few seconds). I believe this was a result of the Sky router prioristing media data transfer from Q hubs over all else. Therefore, I bought a 3rd party router (TP-Link VR2100) and it completely solved the issue by destroying the mesh.

I have recently just agreed to upgrade to Sky Ultrafast on 10/12/20, I believe it is G.fast since this is what is available on openreach's broadband checker.

However, now this is where the issues arise. Apparently, most modem routers on the market aren't compatible with G.fast since they must be specifically designed to be. This means I'll have to use the G.fast compatible Sky router (SR204), however, I imagine this will behave the exact same as the SR203 in terms of gaming performance so I'm not willing to do so.

Can anyone please tell me what my options are (apart from connecting the console to the router via ethernet)? Do I need to find a modem router that supports both G.fast and MER authentication or just G.fast? 

I'm seriously considering cancelling my order; the higher download/upload speeds would be nice but using the Sky router with Sky Q mesh whilst gaming is absolutely futile.

Many thanks!

[TimmyBGood]

@Mattlawd 

Also keep in mind that as far as we know, only the Sky-supplied Hub is compatible with Sky Talk over VOIP. Yes, MER support is required as well as G.fast.

[Mattlawd]

@TimmyBGood  cheers for the reply. Ok, so even if I was getting Ultrafast via FTTP,  there's a good chance my TP-Link VR2100 would not be compatible?

[Chrisee]

@Mattlawd actually if it has an ethernet port that can be configured as a WAN port it might. Sky FTTP services are too new to be certain but other providers services just work if the ONT is connected to the WAN port.

Does your checker show FTTP availability - ignore Fibre on demand that is different and almost impossible to order?

[Mattlawd]

@Chrisee 

Hi, the TP-Link VR2100 does have a WAN port. If I were to use this configuration with the Sky router (SR204) wouldn't this form a double NAT since the SR204 does not have bridge mode functionality?

The Openreach broadband availibity checker says I have two options available at my addresss:

[Mattlawd]

@Chrisee Apologies, now I understand what you mean. I never realised they installed an ONT for FTTP, however, it seems as though I don't have access to this.

[Chrisee · Accepted solution]

@Mattlawd yes it would  I was referring to FTTP where the Openreach ONT fulfills the role of the modem. You cannot run the SR204 in modem only mode and it has no WAN output. Not aware there is a third party G.fast modem Draytek were supposed to be releasing one but not heard they have and Openreach have pretty much stopped rolling out G.fast.

[TimmyBGood]

@Mattlawd 

The Hub plugs into an ethernet port on the ONT: as long as your router can authenticate against a Sky broadband service, it should work just as well.

[Mattlawd]

Cheers for the help guys.

Looks like if I want to continue using my TP-Link Archer VR2100 I need FTTP and not g.fast because then I'd get an ONT installed which would likely make it compatible.

The cabinet/exchange that I am currently connected to is apparently accepting orders for FTTP according to the list found on the openreach website, but, for some reason I can't order at my address yet flats across the road can. Contacted Openreach to ask why this is the case and if they plan to make FTTP available at my address.

[TimmyBGood]

@Mattlawd 

As FTTP requires a whole new connection all the way to the subscription address (unlike G.fast), availability tends to be pretty fine-grain.  If there isn't Openreach backbone fibre down to a local distribution point (typically much closer than the nearest cabinet) then it won't be open for ISPs to resell yet.

[Skull+Treaty]

Exact same situation for me and after I found out that it was G.Fast and couldn't use my VR2100 I cancelled the order and stuck with Superfast.  The speeds I get with it are just as advertised for my area and never had any issues (touch wood) - the upgrade was a nice to have and based on a flip of a coin.

[simon194]

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@Skull+Treaty wrote:

Exact same situation for me and after I found out that it was G.Fast and couldn't use my VR2100 I cancelled the order and stuck with Superfast.  The speeds I get with it are just as advertised for my area and never had any issues (touch wood) - the upgrade was a nice to have and based on a flip of a coin.

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If you don't mind shelling out for a MT992 G.Fast modem then you could continue to use your VR2100.  There's a few on the bay of e's ranging from £80-£290.

[mr+b+nwuk]

Apologies for the questions ...

Am just curious ... did you go ahead with the g.fast ultra install?

My superfast contract is due for renewal and sky wanted to put the price up.  So, i rang to cancel and  they then offered ultrafast to me for the exact same price as i'm currently paying for superfast.  As long as i sign up for another 18 months, naturally.  So, i was actually very tempted to take them up on the offer.

I live 100m or less from the pcp cabinet and g.fast is available (though not fttp).
All of my Sky equipment has worked fine for years (thouch wood).

But you've now got me wondering whether ultrafast wil actually be an 'ugrade' or not 😞

So, did you get it fitted?  Did it work okay with the new sky modem/hub?

Did the BT openreach perosn have to do much work?  i.e is it a big/small job?

[Skull+Treaty]

I didn't take the ultra fast upgrade. Not long after getting the new modem I later spent time & money sorting out my network & mesh. So using the Sky router would make the mesh redundant for me. My basis of going for the upgrade was just a 'nice to have' so after weighing up the mesh and money/time spent on sorting it all I decided to stay with the super fast. It's been reliable and the speeds are fine for all our needs. 
Let me know if you go ahead and how long it took for a new socket to be installed. 

[mr+b+nwuk]

Okay, thank you for replying.  I think I'm going to risk it anyway.  Fingers crossed 🙂