First off, this is a review of Sky Broadband Base, their rock-bottom package, which is free of charge for the first year, when taken as part of a package.

I got this, because it seemed to be a good backup service to my main provider (Be broadband) - there if I needed it.

7 months passed, and I didn't use it, apart from checking it worked OK (it did - it browses fine at 2MB download speed).

Then my main provider let me down and I lost internet connection - I switched over to the backup. I have a few computers in the house and I found that I used the 2GB monthly allowance in about 2 days - just with Windows Updates as far as I could tell.

With my main connection still down, I started looking at the Sky web site - I expected to find a charging system for the extra download used, but instead, they stated they would update me to the NEXT package automatically. I didn’t want that, because there was a one year minimum contract attached, and I didn’t think it was LEGAL to upgrade somebody without their consent.

A day or so later (probably after calls from outraged customers) they had changed their web site to say customers would not be upgraded if they went over their limit.

I also noticed that Sky’s broadband monitoring tools appeared to be patchy, inaccurate and often, simply not working at all. I just hoped that Betherenow would fix their service soon.

I am still using Sky occasionally, while I am in a notice period with Be, but now have to be very careful not to use it at all after this month !

I now noticed other things missing from the Sky site - like web space for instance - you get a photo upload service instead - and your Sky email is really just a googlemail account.

Bottom line - Sky is a TV provider - their broadband is an afterthought in its current form - not for serious use !