Sky Broadband
 

Is Sky broadband any good? I did a test, and it says my line speed is 6mbps (950 feet away). But, will I get anywhere near that speed? What's the upload speed for the "up to 8mb" plan? And do they throttle P2P traffic?

Thanks

Re: Sky Broadband
 

I've had it since February.

Personally, I think it's very good.

Have a read of this:

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/63...-and-info.html


Upload on the up to 8mbps service ("Mid") is around 400kbps, I think.


There is no throttling/shaping :)

Re: Sky Broadband
 

Im 1.5km away from the exchange and get 12mb constant, connects at 14mb.
Brilliant for £10 a month and a 76k upload!
Best of all, no traffic shaping!

Re: Sky Broadband
 

I've just opted for the 2MB basic service, but still have NTL/Virgin. My thread is here:

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/63...witch-not.html

So far, it all looks good. High ping times but as the link that Matt D provides explains, this is normal. Internet browsing is fine - better than NTL. Downloading seems fine also, though with NTL I get about 3.5Mbps whereas with Sky I get 1.7Mbps

[edit]Oh and a filtered face plate is a must, as is ensuring your internal telephone wiring is good quality. The extension I'm currently using is 6 core cabling with IDC connections, properly done. No dodgy screw connections. I intend getting a face plate - doddle to install.

Re: Sky Broadband
 

Also, do Sky give you a router??

Re: Sky Broadband
 

Yes, re-badged wireless netgear router is sent out prior to your activation date.

Re: Sky Broadband
 

Thanks

Re: Sky Broadband
 

One thing you may need to look at if you move to SkyBB at the moment is the instructions for your email, they have recently moved onto the Gmail system for Sky email and it's having issues. Unless they have re-packed all routers witihin the last 3 days the instructions in the box will be wrong but the correct settings etc can be found on sky.com/customer support/broadband/Sky email FAQS
Also if you are running vista do NOT install the CD that comes with the router, all that is on the CD is an upgrader for Internet Explorer to take it to IE7 and McAfee security suite which you can download from MySky anyway. The downloadable version is more up to date and works correctly with Vista. The CD version of McAfee does not always install properly on Vista and can lock the PC up.
Other than that you basically just plug the router into a filter that is provided, plug the router into the PC (or connect wirelessly) and then browse away. The CD is not essential to the installation of the BB connection. Just make sure if you have more than one phone socket with something plugged into it that you filter all sockets with connected telephony equipment and if possible plug into your main/ master socket.

Re: Sky Broadband
 

The router box had a band around it, telling me the email setup had changed. I won't be using it - have my own. And as for the CD - never use any ISP's CDs. Bound to install something dodgy, fiddle with the registry, or overwrite system files.

One thing I find very cool is that I can listen to streaming radio and move the LAN cable between my NTL and Sky routers, without losing the connection. It's a mystery to me but I do like technology - when it works :D

Re: Sky Broadband
 

set up sky BB for my aunt a few weeks ago she's impressed with it

Re: Sky Broadband
 

Right, the BT line has been installed (Sky paid the £130 re-connection charge :D), but on the letter from Sky it says, "after the line had been installed, please wait 5 working days and then ring us to confirm."

The line is already working though, so I don't know what that's about. Should we wait, or...?

Re: Sky Broadband
 

Yes you wait for 5 days after the installation so that the line is live and showing on the database. Then you can order as normal.

Re: Sky Broadband
 

Well, I just rang now, and they said the phone number I gave them belonged to BD22 XXX and we're BD20 XXX so I have to ring BT, and get them to update it or something

Re: Sky Broadband
 

I received a text on my landline, to say that broadband was active. I thought it was pretty cool :D

Re: Sky Broadband (newsgroup access)
 

I swapped over from Virgin to Sky broadband, but now I don't get access to Virgin's newsgroups - does Sky have a similar news server, where can I download it , and can it be put on a disk, then accessed "full screen" from the comp, rather than imported into Outlook Express? - which is crap!

Julie

Re: Sky Broadband (newsgroup access)
 

Sky don't have any newsgroups, you'll have to subscribe to a news server, such as giganews.

Re: Sky Broadband
 

Thanks, but Giganews seems rather expensive, I'll keep looking.

Julie

Re: Sky Broadband
 

Have a look through the slyck forums, you may find something you want.

Re: Sky Broadband
 

Thundernews is a good one I used to use.

Re: Sky Broadband
 

Easynews are quite reasonable compared to Giga and they just opened a new server farm in Amsterdam to address speed problems in Europe and poor retention on NNTP. Retention is now said to be up to 70 days and there are no extra charges for SSL.
No unlimited tariff though. :(

Re: Sky Broadband
 

BT Exchange Information Exchange: Merrylee.BT Code: WSMERLocation: Merrylee Road,G44 3DL. https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/11/7.gifADSL enabled :March 30, 2000https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/11/7.gifdsl Max enabled: March 30, 2006https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/11/8.gifSDSL enabled :Not Enabledhttps://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/11/9.gif21CN due :Phone No RequiredDistance:-Direct: 1.2 km (appx)*By Road:1.93 km


BT Line Speed Estimation Other Broadband Technology & LLU Providers
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2007/11/10.gifFixed ADSL: 2048 kbps(2 Mb) https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2007/11/10.gifDSL Max : 5000 kbps(5 Mb)


RAG Test Results
https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/11/7.gifFixed: 1Mbps and 2Mbps availablehttps://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/11/7.gifradsl: 512Kbps and 256Kbps availablehttps://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/11/7.gifMAX: ADSL Max is availablehttps://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/11/8.gifSDSL: Exchange Not Enabledhttps://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/local/2007/11/7.gifTPON: TPON/Fibre not recordedhttps://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2007/11/10.gifCheck: No info available


can someone in the know tell me if its worth while trying sky 16MB package on this........i have Virgin 2mb but want to go higher but with all the problems virgin have i'd swap to sky as i did with my TV......

Thanks for any info
I did check skys own site and it says 16mb available!

Re: Sky Broadband
 

Hi,
I recently swapped from Virgin to Sky, under the illusion that the Max package would give me speeds between 8 and 16mbps.Unfortunately I only get 4mbps. My house is roughly 2.5 klm from the nearest exchange system, but it is not in a striaght line, and environmental factors can also influence your speed. I suggest you go onto "samknows.co.uk" - they will be able to give you an estimate of potential download speed. I am sorry I switched to Sky - as I am having to fork out for a news server, as Sky don't have one.

Hope this helps

Julie:)

Re: Sky Broadband
 

Apparently I can get 6mpbs or more (just <1km straight-line distance away). So if I get 6mbps on the 8mb plan, will I get 75% of 448kbps up, or the full 100%?

---------- Post added at 20:05 ---------- Previous post was at 19:57 ----------

Is this probably how the wiring will be?

http://xs121.xs.to/xs121/07475/bb68546935.png

If it is, hopefully it should'nt be too much more than the 950m

Re: Sky Broadband
 

Try using the tool here: http://www.kitz.co.uk/adsl/adslchecker.php and remember distance is only one part of the equation, you have to figure in line age/ condition, what other equipment is on the line, how many other people are on your exchange and may also be on Sky ADSL.

Re: Sky Broadband
 

I think Sky are very, very good.

I know some people will have had bad experiences but my experience has never been anything other than positive.

I've been a sky tv customer for over 15years and never had and issue with them, never been billed incorrectly, never had a fault with their equipment. My old digibox which is 10years old is still going strong and my Sky+ has never frozen or been a problem.

As a Virgin employee I took out up to 8meg Virgin ADSL broadband that I got half price at £12.50 pe month. But my line is poor and I'm a far way away from the exchange and I was only getting speeds a peak periods of 120k or less. I asked virgin is I could move to a lower speed and price tariff but was advised no, the employee deal was for the 8meg only.

So I quite Virgin, whom I work for, and took Skys basic 2meg package, which I get free. and couldn't be happier I'm still only getting around 500k but I'm not paying for it.

The icing on the cake is that I also have a Sky credit card, which use to put all my company expenses on. Because of this I earn Sky points and money of my Sky bill usually around £20-£30 per month.

So I have Sky Multiroom with Sky+ both with full packages and Sky 2mb broadband and usually only pay on average £30-£40 a month.

I think that's great value.

Re: Sky Broadband
 

Well, BT have the correct number and postcode for us. But Sky keep telling us they have BD22XXX instead of BD20XXX, and saying that it's BT's fault.

And then Sky said, "we seem to have 665xxx" instead of "669xxx" for your phone number, but I'm not sure because they've called us at home on the right number. Anyway, they said they'd call back.

Re: Sky Broadband
 

If you have any trouble you may be better off posting @ http://www.skyuser.co.uk/forum/

Some staff on there who'll help you out if needs be

Re: Sky Broadband
 

I've done it - just phoned and called NTL :hyper: Will end as of 26th January. Not much of a fight - asked me who I was moving to. Pointed out that I would need a phone line for another provider, and I would have to consider the cost of the line rental when deciding if another provider was cheaper. This isn't actually true - I already have a BT line, and have had for some time, so it's not part of the equation. Sky+ and broadband comes to £21 - a saving of £4 plus I get an extra service (TV).

I phoned Sky. Very strange woman. "Can I upgrade to the medium broadband service - £5 a month", I said. "Did you have a good Christmas - seemed to go quickly?", came the reply :erm: That threw me a bit. Not really supposed to chat to customers. Professionalism and all that. Hmmm. Just have to wait 4hrs and it auto-magically happens :D

[edit] Stats attached :D Faster than NTL :D

Re: Sky Broadband
 

You're just not used to talking to someone who has the capacity to have a conversation with a customer!

Personally I think it it personaises the customer service, which is a good thing.

Re: Sky Broadband
 

GC that SNR/ Noise margin is very low, you may start suffering drop outs on the connection. Check your telephone line and make sure that if there is more than on telephone outlet that anything plugged in is using a filter and that nothing is on the line without a filter attached. Also check if you have a NT5E socket (should have a physical split going left to right just above the fitting screws) and if you do remove the bottom of the plate and try connecting via the test socket with a filter.
Peak times you may struggle with that SNR and your line may be a bit flakey. BTW did you get the old white router or the new dark grey/ black one?

Re: Sky Broadband
 

I have a filtered master socket, and two extensions, one filtered and the other unfiltered. The filtered one is for my Sky+ box, and the unfiltered for my router/phone (I have a filtered socket to connect them). To be honest, I'm not entirely happy with the setup. It gives me the connectivity I want but it feels a bit "bodged". I'm thinking of having BT move the master socket up here, near my PC. Going to cost me but better in the long-term.

Re: Sky Broadband
 

Take another look at the screenie, the system up time looks pretty good to me.

I use Mossywell utility as my attn is 63db and snr hovers around 6.5 but rarely get drop outs, just re-boots.

Re: Sky Broadband
 

I have Mossywell nestling in my system tray also :)

[edit]Just emailed BT for a quote.

Oh and I have the "old white" router

Re: Sky Broadband
 

If you are on a prefiltered ADSL master socket you don't need filters else where on the line, only worry about the SNR if it starts dropping lower but at that level any issue on the line can drop the connection pretty quickly.
Keep a check on the connection with Mossywell and check your errors and LOS levels after a week or two, you may not even notice drop outs as they normally re-connect quickly but I had to sort mine as I need a "static" IP that I can guarantee for at least 4 hours per night so any reboot of the router caused me to disconnect.
If you do get any trouble call through to TS late in the evening if possible as our call volumes drop sharply towards end of night and get them to troubleshoot for intermittant connection and point out your SNR level to the CST if you get put through to them.
Oh and happy new year.... guess who is on call Jan 1st lol

---------- Post added at 23:11 ---------- Previous post was at 23:07 ----------

System up time just tells you when the router last rebooted, not the last time it dropped signal connection, my up time is 21 days and counting but I know I have dropped connection at least 4 times in that time.
I use this as well as mossy
http://www.vwlowen.co.uk/internet/files.htm

Re: Sky Broadband
 

Thanks, Paul :)

BT have quoted £165.33 to basically screw a box to the wall and connect two wires. I should have gone into networking and not desktops. Perhaps for sexual favours I may get a discount :erm: Probably 33p knowing my life :D I think it is something I will pay for doing, though - just not sure when. Cash flow and all that.

Re: Sky Broadband
 

Try the software (router stats lite) in my post, I use it to monitor how stable my SNR is, if you see problems with it then try to sort things out on the line, if not and your speed is good then don't worry till you can afford it ;)
Failing that call Sky TS any time after 8pm most nights and you will have very little queuing to get to tech support and after 10 we can normally get straight through to Customer Solutions Team for Tier 2/ 3 assistance.

Re: Sky Broadband
 

I've got that program installed - took a bit of sussing out how it works, but it's now running. I may be able to pay for the line move in installments - add it to my bill, which I currently may at a fixed amount each month. Will email them.

Re: Sky Broadband
 

Right. I'm sure we used to have an emoticon that was a geek, with glasses. Anyway, as you can see from the attached image <wacks image with pointer>, there has been a steady decline in the SNR over the course of the day, including a soft reboot at about 15:15 (this was Mossywell detecting a loss of connection). At the moment, the SNR is fluctuating between 5.3 and 6.1

I've emailed BT.

Re: Sky Broadband
 

That's what I was worrying about, I see you have posted on SkyU forum for help on the wiring, hopefully they can get some sort of stability on the line for you. If you get the wiring to a point where you know it is as it should be and the SNR is still like that then you may need a call to TS to get it looked at.

Re: Sky Broadband
 

Yeah - I continued my original thread. It is odd though - a steady decline. You can't leak broadband :D The odd thing was the second reboot - noise margin hit 19, then dropped immediately. The extension up here doesn't use Cat 5e - just generic telephone cabling (3 pair, twisted), which should be pretty much the same (the twisting is the main bit). But when I first got the router, no fancy faceplates, it was on the same wiring, with a Sky filter - I did notice the odd dropped connection, but never when I was using the PC. The dropped connections tended to be when I was away from the PC - I knew the connection had been lost because there'd be a message from BOINC, complaining about the connection. Mossywell logs confirmed it.

www.jpw.me.uk/misc

Re: Sky Broadband
 

Hmm. Today is following the same trend - but not a steady decline, more of a stepped decline, punctuated by losses of connection. I've a few irons in the fire regarding tackling the issue. Had a think last night (well, more the early hours of the morning), and I've bought another faceplate - same one I used for my parents, so I know it should be fine. And 30m of CAT 5e with a socket. Also reserved a DECT phone at Argos. Total cost about £50 My plan is to forget BT and move the modem downstairs, with a CAT 5e extension upstairs to my PC - Ethernet travels better than ADSL, being the theory. I won't have a socket for the phone, so I'll use a DECT phone instead. If all goes well, I'll have a socket doubler for the phone downstairs and the new DECT phone; an extension for Sky+; and a CAT 5e extension upstairs. It's more of a hassle than an expense, but it should allow me to be certain that the fault is an exchange one and not the internal wiring - assuming that the rewire does not fix the connection drop outs.

Re: Sky Broadband
 

If it's any consolation my snr steadily decreases each day with more often than not a Mossywell reboot during peak hours. I have a poor attn which I was well aware of before signing up (anything to get away from vm :)) but took all available precautions like an adsl nation xte face plate and only one new telephone extension from master socket to sky hd box where I also have the base station for cordless phones dotted around my house.
Also, when my sky hd was being installed the engineer said about power cycling the router if the internet appeared slower than usual and it will improve but I use Mossywell to do that for me.

Re: Sky Broadband
 

It's down to 4.2dB at the moment - how low can you go... It's dying... Mosseywell has gone yellow... Wait for the WOOOOOO... No, yes, no... Drum roll... Now 3.9dB... And it's gone :rolleyes: <waits patiently> And we're back - at 7.6dB

I think that's the fourth or fifth time today, so far.

Re: Sky Broadband
 

Right. I've basically replaced the existing telephone/ADSL extension to the attic with an ADSL extension using CAT 5e. I bought a kit. Also replaced the faceplate again with a different type, and bought a DECT phone. I'll see how it goes - may purchase a crimper and RJ45 socket, and move the modem downstairs. Currently SNR is 6.3dB

Re: Sky Broadband
 

If that's the best you can get it you can use this: http://www.mognuts.com/NetgearRouterUtility.html to set the target noise margin higher, which should reduce disconnects but will probably lower the sync speed a little.

Actually, just remembered this will only work if you have the older router.

Re: Sky Broadband
 

I'm new to this ADSL stuff, but I wouldn't expect regular disconnects to be normal. One or two, fine, but four or more a day surely can't be normal. I'll see how it goes - may yet try calling Sky, see what they say. Fingers crossed it'll be fine. I did find damage to the previous cable, and some heavily squashed/kinked sections - due to the carpet being fitted.

Re: Sky Broadband
 

Well this is why I don't like ADSL, its far to sensitive to problems. Basically the noise margin will change during the day, I find it weakest around this time. On a sky router if it drops below 6 you will get connection problems.

Remember as noise margin goes up sync speed goes down. (speed V stability)

Now the router decides what margin to set at, when you turn it on it will go for the highest sync speed it can get with a noise margin at 7. Or if it can reach the speed cap without going below 7 it will hold at the cap and get the highest noise margin it can. Now as the noise margin goes down in the evening it should ideally readjust so the sync speed drops to keep the noise margin stable, but this doesn't happen (or not yet at least). So you can either turn the router on in the evening when the noise is at its worst, so it finds a comfortable margin which will go up during the rest of the day. Or you can force it to have a larger margin.

These are assumptions derived from experience so please correct any mistakes.

Re: Sky Broadband
 

GC with an SNR that low you will see dropped connections as I have already said, your side of the line probably isn't the issue and if the line between you and the exchange is poor then you will probably need your speed capped to stabilise the connection itself. I had mine capped at 10Mb as I don't need a blazing speed but I do need a stable connection in the evening.
Please post your full stats on t'other forum and it may be that you need to call CS and ask to be TS'ed for intermittant connection and point out you have a low SNR to the Tech person and make a point of saying you will proabaly need putting through to CST for speed and config checks.

Re: Sky Broadband
 

Yeah - connection dropped again not that long ago :( I can't see if being the internal wiring - exactly same as my parent's (TalkTalk) and they don't have problems. Also a spike to 22dB a few minutes ago. The other forum don't seem much interested :shrug: I'll phone Sky on Monday - see how far I get.

Re: Sky Broadband
 

I bet they will just cap your connection lower to ensure a higher noise margin.

Re: Sky Broadband
 

Yeah - begs the question, "Why have different packages?" Going to end up with base speed for mid money :rolleyes:

I've posted on SkyUser - nothing to lose.

Re: Sky Broadband
 

It may be that the problem isn't your side of the wiring, getting your wiring as good as possible just helps highlight where the problem actually sits.
ADSL relies heavily on line distance and line quality, if your line can't handle it then it does cause problems, I'm less than 1km line distance from exchange but our telephone lines round here are really old and on overhead poles, I'm capped at 10Mb for stability but I know my line could go faster if I wanted to endure drop outs.
It's not Skys fault that BT doesn't worry about line quality and only looks at something if your voice service goes down :(

Re: Sky Broadband
 

Not phoned them yet - you get home from working in a call centre and you just don't want to phone one. Spent an hour on the phone to FastHosts - 58 minutes queuing, 2 minutes talking :rolleyes: Anyway, I think I might know what's wrong - the wind. The more windy it is, the more the connection drops out. It's been up and down all day - and the wind has been bad all day. But yesterday the connection was alright - and there was little wind. Not sure it'll do me any good to phone Sky and tell them I have trouble with wind :D

Re: Sky Broadband
 

Ours does that as all the lines round here are on telephone poles, plays havoc with my SNR when the lines start swinging around. If your lines are on telephone poles you could try calling BT and tell them that during the bad weather you are getting intermittant line noise/ crackling and it's always when it's windy and the lines are moving around outside. Then you suggest there may be a connection issue on the telephone pole DP and ask for an engineer lol.