UK ISP Sky Broadband Launch New Sky Hub Router with Integrated FTTC

Sky Broadband (BSkyB) has today unveiled a new version (SR102) of their original Sky Hub (SR101) wireless router, which improves upon the old model by being coloured in “stylish black” and integrating a VDSL modem so that customers who adopt their FTTC superfast broadband (Sky Fibre) package no longer need to use a separate modem from BTOpenreach.

The new router (worth £69) will also allow Sky to offer a cheaper self-install FTTC service, which means that customers whom order the Sky Fibre service will no longer require an engineer to enter their homes as part of the installation process (note: the service performance may suffer if you elect not to have an engineer do the wiring). Sky were also one of the first ISPs to trial the self-install service.

Otherwise the new Sky Hub appears to be broadly unchanged from the first model and also comes with a VDSL Microfilter to plug into your FTTC line.

Lyssa McGowan, Director of Communications Products at Sky, said:

“At Sky we are continually looking to improve the products we offer and the service we provide – and the new Sky Hub is testament to that. With our unlimited broadband packages: Sky Broadband Unlimited and Sky Fibre Unlimited, market-leading customer service and state-of-the-art hub, there’s never been a better time to switch to Sky.”

Full Sky Hub Specifications:

Ports and sockets:

• 1 x ADSL2+ / VDSL port
• 4 x 10/100 Ethernet ports with activity LEDs

Wireless:

• 2.4GHz 802.11n standard, backwards compatible with 802.11 b/g standards
• 2×2 MIMO with internal antennas, 144Mbps maximum data transmission rate
• Smart Signal Selection – automatically and dynamically selects optimum wireless channel
• Wi-Fi Alliance certified

LEDs:

• 4 Simple LED icon indications

Security:

• WPS – wireless protected setup
• WPA & WPA2 (default), WPA, WPA2 and WEP 64/40

Buttons:

• WPS push button
• Reset

Other:

• Mains powered with internal power supply
• Energy efficient – Complies with the “Code of Conduct on Energy Consumption of Broadband Equipment” within Europe
• CD-Less installation and smart diagnostics for loss of connection

Sadly Sky has chosen not to add any Gigabit Ethernet ports or support for WiFi connectivity at 5GHz, which puts it at somewhat of an on-going disadvantage next to the latest kit from Virgin Media, BT and EE etc.