Sky’s Full-Fibre Broadband Upgrade Sets New Standards in the UK
Sky has made a significant leap in the UK broadband market by introducing an impressive full-fibre broadband upgrade. This move places Sky ahead of its competitors, including Virgin Media, Vodafone, and EE, as the fastest nationwide internet provider in the country.
The British brand now offers speeds up to 5Gbps, which is an astonishing 22 times faster than the UK household average speed of 223Mbps, according to Ofcom data from last year. These ultra-fast speeds are available to 4.5 million homes across the UK. Compared to Sky’s standard broadband plan, which maxes out at 61Mbps, this new package is a staggering 81 times faster.
Introducing the Gigafast+ Hub
To take full advantage of these superfast broadband speeds, Sky has launched a brand-new Wi-Fi router called the Gigafast+ hub. This device is equipped with the latest Wi-Fi 7 technology, offering wireless speeds that are twice as fast as Wi-Fi 6. Whether you’re working from home, streaming high-definition content, or playing online games, users will experience next-generation speeds and lower latency, even in households with multiple devices.
Developed by engineers at Sky and its parent company Comcast, the Gigafast+ hub marks the first Wi-Fi device created across the $134bn multinational firm. The tri-band router features three separate radio bands: 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz with Wi-Fi 7. The 6GHz band is particularly beneficial in densely populated areas, such as apartment buildings, where many neighbours are using their own Wi-Fi networks. This band is less congested, resulting in improved performance and reduced latency.
The back of the Gigafast+ hub includes two 10Gbps Ethernet ports, allowing for direct connections that support faster speeds for heavy streamers and those downloading large files.
Full Fibre Gigafast+ Plans
Sky is offering two new broadband plans: Full Fibre 2.5 Gigafast+ and Full Fibre 5 Gigafast+. These plans are powered by a long-term partnership between Sky and CityFibre, announced last year. To access these packages, your home must be connected to the CityFibre full-fibre network. Currently, CityFibre covers 4.5 million premises, with plans to expand to 8 million homes and businesses in the coming years.
Sky’s Chief Consumer Officer, Sophia Ahmad, highlighted the significance of this development, stating, “We’re proud to be setting a new standard in UK broadband. With speeds up to 5 Gbps, our new Full Fibre Gigafast+ packages make Sky the UK’s fastest major broadband provider.”
The Full Fibre 2.5 Gigafast+ starts at £70 per month, while the Full Fibre 5 Gigafast+ costs £80 per month. The latter includes WiFi Max at no extra cost, valued at £4 per month. This optional feature guarantees minimum download speeds in every room of your house, along with advanced security and parental tools.
Competitors Also Launching Wi-Fi 7 Routers
Sky’s announcement comes shortly after Vodafone launched its next-generation Wi-Fi 7 router, the Ultra Hub 7. Rumours about this device had been circulating since October last year. The router is built from 95% recycled plastic and delivers peak speeds of 2.2Gbps. Vodafone also provides a Super WiFi 7 Booster to enhance wireless signals throughout the home.
The Ultra Hub 7 includes a built-in 4G dongle that activates during broadband outages, ensuring continuous connectivity. While switching to 4G may result in slower speeds, it allows users to perform essential tasks like video calls or adjusting smart home devices.
EE was the first nationwide broadband supplier to launch a Wi-Fi 7 router last summer. Its Smart Hub promises connections up to twice as fast as Wi-Fi 6, ideal for busy households with multiple devices.
Alternative Options for Wi-Fi 7
For those looking to upgrade their existing broadband connection, Amazon-owned brand eero recently launched its Wi-Fi 7 lineup. The eero 7 wireless router supports internet speeds up to 2.5Gbps with two auto-sensing 2.5 GbE ports and wireless speeds up to 1.8 Gbps. A single eero 7 can support over 120 devices and cover up to 190 m².
By switching to a standalone Wi-Fi 7 router, users can unlock faster speeds without relying on their broadband provider’s equipment. This option is ideal for those seeking greater control over their home network.
