Using own router

Was talking to sky today about possibly moving over to them.

The sales rep said it is not possible to use an alternative router as the username and password are built into the router they send out to you. Also they would not support you using another router.

Is it possible to obtain the required details to use alternative equipment? Maybe they refuse to give them out?

I'm very sceptical about changing to sky from Zen, conversations like this don't help.

Yes, it's easy. There's an online calculator available or wireshark to capture the username and password

Just had a read, few disclaimers on breaching terms and conditions.

Maybe I'm wrong but I kinda see it that they only support their own router due to lack of technical abilities of their support staff.

If you will be using Sky LLU search their forum for O2/Be settings, There's no issue using non-Sky routers on LLU. However their T&C's prohibit use of non-Sky hardware on their fibre products.

Edited by IanBB (Tue 05-May-15 23:55:07)

Yeah it's fibre I want to order. Will have a read up about the free router sky provide.

I think they only support the Sky Router so it makes it easier to train staff on how to diagnose problems with it. For 99% of their customers who likely are happy to use the router provided it makes sense to do this.

In reply to a post by Ripley:

Yeah it's fibre I want to order. Will have a read up about the free router sky provide.

Sky fibre uses a special authentication method which not all routers support.

I suppose that is the way forward when working in such a large scale.

The Sky Hub SR102 they provide is OK, but that's all.

4 x 10/100Mbps ethernet, single channel 2.4GHz up to 144Mbps WiFi with pretty poor range due to poor interior layout (unshielded PSU in close proximity to the WiFi antennas).

The WiFi also has a known "issue" whereby it can't handle more than about 16 simultaneous devices. Sky acknowledge the issue, but who knows if it can be fixed or if they are even looking into it.

Basically, depending on your needs, it can be fine. Most posts on the Sky forums though tend to recommend adding a second router/access point and turning off the Sky Hub Wifi.

"16 simultaneous devices"

Who needs anything close to that?