Which router to replace sky hub SR102?

[sagarich]

As the title suggests, I need to replace our sky router as it's struggling to handle the multiple connections throughout the house since my wife and I are both working at home. The range ability seems to have also dropped off considerably over the past couple of weeks (have play around with placement, with varying success).

We're getting on average 27mb down and 15 up (definitely slowed since lockdown).

Any recommendations for an upgrade between the £50-75 mark?

The TP-Link Archer series has been coming up lots on Google, but looking for real world recommendations.

Lastly, we normally only have the following active in the day (no gaming etc):

1x MBP
1x Wi
2x iPhones
1x HP Printer
1x Amazon fire stick

Thanks in advance.

Edited to add, setup needs to be easy peasy. I can login to existing router and change the channel, but that's my limit.

[SteBrown91]

You can’t easily use an alternative router with Sky, as it uses a username and password to connect which is a faff to obtain. Your best option is to use the SR102 in modem only mode and plug in another router with modem disabled to the SR102.

But I’m not sure why you think it is definitely the router that’s the issue. It’s quite likely that Sky are dialling back your bandwidth or the cabinet you are connected to is highly utilised because of people working from home. Don’t assume the router is the issue.

[megaphone]

Are you testing on wifi? The best way to test a router's speed is to plug in an ethernet cable from a laptop or PC. That will give you a more accurate reading.

[sagarich]

Thanks for the replies, I have revisited speed testing with the following results (all figures averaged over the past few days):

Ethernet speed test: 57mb down / 23 up

Wifi in same room as router: 39mb down / 17up

Wifi in office/dining room (same floor 11m from router through 3 brick walls): 3.1mp down / 1.4 up with frequent drop outs.

So speed is good, wifi range/strength is the issue and the drop off between front and back of the house is significant.

I had considered relocating the router further into the house, but read that extending the wire from the socket wasn't advised? So what are my options?

[ollyprice87]

SteBrown91 said:

You can’t easily use an alternative router with Sky, as it uses a username and password to connect which is a faff to obtain. Your best option is to use the SR102 in modem only mode and plug in another router with modem disabled to the SR102.

But I’m not sure why you think it is definitely the router that’s the issue. It’s quite likely that Sky are dialling back your bandwidth or the cabinet you are connected to is highly utilised because of people working from home. Don’t assume the router is the issue.

I used a TP Link Archer VR900 with NowTV broadband and Sky Fibre - no need to faff about with modem mode. Select Sky from the drop-down when setting up and for username and password you can put something like abcdef@skydsl / 1234567890abcdef (you'll have to Google to confirm) Infinitely better than the free crap they send you in term sof coverage, up time. However, speed still fluctuated. Moved to Zen, rock solid since.

[AJB88]

Get a mesh system.

I've run Google Wifi eith Sky, EE and Vodafone.

[frisbee]

ollyprice87 said:

SteBrown91 said:

You can’t easily use an alternative router with Sky, as it uses a username and password to connect which is a faff to obtain. Your best option is to use the SR102 in modem only mode and plug in another router with modem disabled to the SR102.

But I’m not sure why you think it is definitely the router that’s the issue. It’s quite likely that Sky are dialling back your bandwidth or the cabinet you are connected to is highly utilised because of people working from home. Don’t assume the router is the issue.

I used a TP Link Archer VR900 with NowTV broadband and Sky Fibre - no need to faff about with modem mode. Select Sky from the drop-down when setting up and for username and password you can put something like abcdef@skydsl / 1234567890abcdef (you'll have to Google to confirm) Infinitely better than the free crap they send you in term sof coverage, up time. However, speed still fluctuated. Moved to Zen, rock solid since.

Yep. I've done the same, way better than the Sky modem.

[anonymoususer]

The SR 102 is a basic thing that dates back around 5 years.
Its ethernet ports are capped at fast ethernet 100mbps and I think the wifi caps at 150mbps

A switch to a TP Link will be a lot better

[lancer778544]

frisbee said:

ollyprice87 said:

SteBrown91 said:

You can’t easily use an alternative router with Sky, as it uses a username and password to connect which is a faff to obtain. Your best option is to use the SR102 in modem only mode and plug in another router with modem disabled to the SR102.

But I’m not sure why you think it is definitely the router that’s the issue. It’s quite likely that Sky are dialling back your bandwidth or the cabinet you are connected to is highly utilised because of people working from home. Don’t assume the router is the issue.

I used a TP Link Archer VR900 with NowTV broadband and Sky Fibre - no need to faff about with modem mode. Select Sky from the drop-down when setting up and for username and password you can put something like abcdef@skydsl / 1234567890abcdef (you'll have to Google to confirm) Infinitely better than the free crap they send you in term sof coverage, up time. However, speed still fluctuated. Moved to Zen, rock solid since.

Yep. I've done the same, way better than the Sky modem.

Same here too. Running the old Openreach VDSL model and a Synology RT2600ac. You just need a modem/router that supports Option61 and whatever email @skydsl and any password you like, works fine.

[sagarich]

Just to update this thread, I purchased a TP-LINK Archer VR2100 last week. Setup was really easy with sky following an online guide and performance/range has been amazing compared with the SR102. However, yesterday it started dropping the connection a few times and then this morning it wouldn't power up. Amazon are sending a replacement tomorrow and fingers crossed it's just an isolated fault.

[sagarich]

A further update, the replacement TP-Link worked fine for 2 days and then powered down for good... So it's going back.

Any suggestions for an alternative, lost confidence in TP-Link now. Budget up-to £125.

[sagarich]

Anyone?

[anonymous-user]

Resurrecting this from the dead.

Did you get a decent replacement?

My issue is the range of the SR102 is rubbish. I don't use the ethernet etc so don't care about the speed of those.

I'm aiming to call Sky and see what they suggest first as a replacement but if you got a plug and play router I'd be interested to know what it is tia.

[sagarich]

No, I ended up switching from sky and moving to zen. Best thing I ever did, no drops or perceivable throttling and their basic router has been perfect for our needs with full coverage of the house. It's not a pretty looking thing... but it does the job.

Zen are quite pricey, but for full time WFH it's worth it for me.

[sagarich]

anonymoususer said:

sagarich said:

r basic router

.

If their basic router is one of these



it is one of the very best things out there. Rock solid dependable and just does the job. I got a second hand one of these and set it up on my virgin connection. I only did it out of interest due to hearing good comments about it on here.
It genuinely staggered me performance wise. It gave me the highest Download and Upload figures of any device I have used hitting 114 on a 100 mbps download account.
It has NEVER clogged up fallen over or required a reboot. Its wifi may only be 867 mbps against others 1300 or more but thats the only caveat.
Fantastic piece of kit

Yep, that's the one. Looks ugly, but it's been faultless.