Sky Q without phone line, but using a TP-Link ARCHER MR600 4G+ Cat6 AC1200 Wireless Dual router

[davidgc]

Old topic which I cannot get my head around, if I use a TP-Link ARCHER MR600 4G+ Cat6 AC1200 Wireless Dual router or a DECO X50-5G router can I get the Sky Q apps to work with either of these? I know the Sky Q main unit finds the MR600 without any problems but I remember the apps did not seem to work.

[TimmyBGood]

@davidgc 

Q has never used a 'phone line' because it doesn't contain a modem.

The platform should be happy on a cellular internet connection rather than terrestrial broadband.

Historically some cellular users encountered DNS and routing issues, but hopefully after ten years those are all weeded out now

[davidgc]

Thanks for answer, but the MR600 is OK with the SKY Q Main box but none of the apps work, that why I have a DECO X50-5g which should acept the Sky MER protocol, but did loose interest, going to have another try.

[Chodley]

MER?

Did that router do some kind of bundling of 4G and hardline to increase overall bandwidth? I can imagine that would upset some apps.

[davidgc]

I keep asking the same question, do the SKY Q apps come thro' the dish or down the phone line?  I have been told SKY Q doe's not need a phone line connection but the apps seem not to work if I unplug the phone line.

[MightyQuinn]

Hi @davidgc   The answer is neither, the Sky Q apps data is delivered over broadband. The Sky Q box does not have a telephone socket, so that is impossible.

[PandJ2020]

Indeed...  However, one's broadband may be delivered over the 'phone line'.

But, as noted, Q does not require a analogue phone connection like Sky+ used to.

[davidgc]

Yep, thro' the Sky Q hub as I thought, but even with a aftermarket router the apps are not availiable even with one that is option 61 compatible it seems 

[Chodley]

What on earth is option 61?

What's a "Sky Q hub"?

Sky apps will work with any router as long as the box connects to the internet ok.

[PandJ2020]

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@Chodley wrote:

What on earth is option 61?

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AI search perhaps has provided some insight (also threads merged):

The "Sky MER protocol" refers to Sky's use of MAC Encapsulation Routing, a broadband authentication method that utilizes DHCP Option 61 (client ID) instead of traditional PPPoE username/password authentication. To connect to Sky's network, your router needs to send a client ID, which is a unique identifier, to the Sky network for authentication.

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Sky apps will work with any router as long as the box connects to the internet ok.

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Indeed, I don't see how the router authenticating the broadband connection has much to do with clients (apps) connecting to the Internet...  (Assuming the router connects successfully)

[Mark39]

@davidgc are you able to use Sky Q On Demand and Catch Up? If so, there's no reason I can think of to prevent the apps working too.

[davidgc]

SR203 Sky router / hub

[Chodley]

Do the apps show up at all? What happens when you try to use them?