Improving Wifi from the Sky router

[gmaz]

I have the Sky router that looks like the one below but want to improve the wifi range and speed. Can I get a decent wifi router and connect it via a network cable and use the wifi from that instead?

We have lots of wifi devices and I think the Sky unit struggles with them, so I was thinking of adding this one

https://www.amazon.co.uk/TP-LINK-Archer-C50-V3-AC1...

Edited by gmaz on Friday 17th August 14:15

[Boz123]

Yes. I've found the BT wholehome setup (one disc connects to existing router with network cable) works really well, but not cheap. Remember to turn off the existing router WiFi too.

[Dodsy]

I replaced my BT homehub with an archer , what a difference. Went from a margial signal in most rooms to full signal in every room .

If you want to keep the sky box and just add the archer you’ll just need to configure the archer as a dumb wifi access point.

[GrumpyTwig]

If you want to replace the wifi element you don't need another router, you need an access point.
Easier to just buy a better Wifi-Router and ditch the BT stuff completely.

[Mr2Mike]

Those routers are a steaming pile of excrement; the poor wifi range is due to the tiny internal antenna coupled with the noisy switching power supply located next to it. The only thing that slightly offsets this is the appalling reliability, they tend to have such a short life span that the wifi issues become a secondary concern.

After my first one blew up, Sky gave me another one which performed just as badly and died within a year. I replaced it with a Netgear D7000 router that has given rock solid performance for the last 18 months, and exceptional Wifi range.

[gmaz]

GrumpyTwig said:

If you want to replace the wifi element you don't need another router, you need an access point.
Easier to just buy a better Wifi-Router and ditch the BT stuff completely.

With Sky, you have to use their supplied router.

[GrumpyTwig]

gmaz said:

GrumpyTwig said:

If you want to replace the wifi element you don't need another router, you need an access point.
Easier to just buy a better Wifi-Router and ditch the BT stuff completely.

With Sky, you have to use their supplied router.

You don't have to, though it might be against their T's and C's

[TartanPaint]

If it's the wifi that's the problem, add a separate access point. The favourite option in similar threads is generally this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ubiquiti-Networks-UAP-AC-...

I use one, and I love it.

[xjay1337]

I have one of Sky's newer Q routers and it's really good to be honest.

[tenohfive]

TartanPaint said:

If it's the wifi that's the problem, add a separate access point. The favourite option in similar threads is generally this:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ubiquiti-Networks-UAP-AC-...

I use one, and I love it.

I think you mean this one?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Ubiquiti-Networks-UAP-AC-...
The LR one is a bit overkill for most people and I couldn't find a compelling reason to go for the LR over the standard Lite.

In the OP's shoes though I'd be looking at just replacing (or putting into modem mode) the existing router and replacing the whole router. The Unifi AP is very good but it's not as plug and play as the likes of Asus/Netgear/TP Link routers, it really needs to be wall or ceiling mounted (and the cable hidden) so you've got a bit less flexibility in terms of location.

I'm not knocking the Unifi AP but for a bog standard consumer looking for an upgrade on an ISP supplied router I'm not convinced enterprise grade gear is necessary.

OP, the router you've linked looks fine to me. I don't know what the rules are around using the provided router but frankly unless Sky can actually tell (and care) I'd replace it in a heartbeat, just chuck it in the loft and return it when your contract ends.

[gmaz]

tenohfive said:

OP, the router you've linked looks fine to me. I don't know what the rules are around using the provided router but frankly unless Sky can actually tell (and care) I'd replace it in a heartbeat, just chuck it in the loft and return it when your contract ends.

I've ordered the one in my link so will give it a try. The faff with replacing the Sky router completely is that (I think) you have to hack it to get the ADSL username & password.

Thanks everyone for the help

[GrumpyTwig]

gmaz said:

tenohfive said:

OP, the router you've linked looks fine to me. I don't know what the rules are around using the provided router but frankly unless Sky can actually tell (and care) I'd replace it in a heartbeat, just chuck it in the loft and return it when your contract ends.

I've ordered the one in my link so will give it a try. The faff with replacing the Sky router completely is that (I think) you have to hack it to get the ADSL username & password.

Thanks everyone for the help

Check google, there's a blog talking about how to use a 3rd part router.

[Burwood]

I’ve tried access points. Nothing works for me because my Wi-fi signal oscillates like a wave. This means my Wi-fi calling drops calls when it oscillates down. Very annoying. Had sky and BT out. They just poke around and blame interference from other devices which is rubbish. It never drops long enough to cause a Netflix stream issue but on a phone call you can imagine the frustration. Sometimes it do bad I have to call back 5-6 times to finish the conversation. Of course if the networks(4G) actually covered central Surrey (a joke) I wouldn’t be so fussed.

[GrumpyTwig]

Burwood said:

I’ve tried access points. Nothing works for me because my Wi-fi signal oscillates like a wave. This means my Wi-fi calling drops calls when it oscillates down. Very annoying. Had sky and BT out. They just poke around and blame interference from other devices which is rubbish. It never drops long enough to cause a Netflix stream issue but on a phone call you can imagine the frustration. Sometimes it do bad I have to call back 5-6 times to finish the conversation. Of course if the networks(4G) actually covered central Surrey (a joke) I wouldn’t be so fussed.

Must be a reason for it though, it's just a case of finding it.

There are a few mobile apps and windows apps (macs even have something built it) that let you monitor the signal strength and quality from all the visible nearby networks.

Can be useful to see where you might have black spots or if it is actually fluctuating. If you're using Skype for business though.... that's just a crap piece of software

[tenohfive]

Burwood said:

I’ve tried access points. Nothing works for me because my Wi-fi signal oscillates like a wave. This means my Wi-fi calling drops calls when it oscillates down. Very annoying. Had sky and BT out. They just poke around and blame interference from other devices which is rubbish. It never drops long enough to cause a Netflix stream issue but on a phone call you can imagine the frustration. Sometimes it do bad I have to call back 5-6 times to finish the conversation. Of course if the networks(4G) actually covered central Surrey (a joke) I wouldn’t be so fussed.

When you say access points don't work because your wifi signal is at issue...an access point (done properly) shouldn't be dependant on the wifi. An access point is connected by ethernet cable to your network. A wifi range extender (and some devices do both) will take an iffy signal and try and stretch it further. So if you have a modem and router, your access point (assuming a second/additional one) will be hard wired to your router. You can do this either via powerline adapters (which work in some places) or my running some Cat 5e or Cat 6 across the house. It's not a difficult job once you've done a couple to run the cable about and terminate it in a euro box.

What is your current setup - ISP provided modem/router box, or are you using your own router?

[Burwood]

tenohfive said:

Burwood said:

I’ve tried access points. Nothing works for me because my Wi-fi signal oscillates like a wave. This means my Wi-fi calling drops calls when it oscillates down. Very annoying. Had sky and BT out. They just poke around and blame interference from other devices which is rubbish. It never drops long enough to cause a Netflix stream issue but on a phone call you can imagine the frustration. Sometimes it do bad I have to call back 5-6 times to finish the conversation. Of course if the networks(4G) actually covered central Surrey (a joke) I wouldn’t be so fussed.

When you say access points don't work because your wifi signal is at issue...an access point (done properly) shouldn't be dependant on the wifi. An access point is connected by ethernet cable to your network. A wifi range extender (and some devices do both) will take an iffy signal and try and stretch it further. So if you have a modem and router, your access point (assuming a second/additional one) will be hard wired to your router. You can do this either via powerline adapters (which work in some places) or my running some Cat 5e or Cat 6 across the house. It's not a difficult job once you've done a couple to run the cable about and terminate it in a euro box.

What is your current setup - ISP provided modem/router box, or are you using your own router?

Yes you are correct, it’s a range extender. I am using a sky q router. The mobile, being wireless needs to use Wi-fi and I’m not sure how to stabilise it. Are you suggesting running cable from the point it meets the house? The router is already Ethernet connected to this point. You can stand next to it and still have an unstable Wi-fi signal.

I’ve used 3 different routers and there is no real difference. The Q gives better range but hasn’t cured the oscillating signal

[tenohfive]

Three different Sky routers or have you replaced it with a third party router?

[Burwood]

tenohfive said:

Three different Sky routers or have you replaced it with a third party router?

all different Sky routers. What would you suggest i try. I'm not exactly knowledgeable about these things. And as I run Sky Q I assume i should keep this router. maybe not.

[Burwood]

My Mac runs over wifi too. One minute it's pulling 20gig the next is freezes for 30 secs then comes back on again. The Sky engineer hooked me up an App on my phone and you can see the signal like a wave up/down. The Sky guy changed the main socket, twiddled a few wires and that was it. Calling them is like pulling teeth. They run a line test and of course if the signal is ok at that moment they tell me it's all ok. It isn't.

[seveb]

This is exactly the sort of issue you get with an ISP router. Try a different WiFi AP which connects to the ISP router and disable WiFi on the router.