NOW Broadband routers 2024: What router will I get?
Dan Howdle • September 13th, 2024
NOW TV is the cheaper streaming service from Sky. You can buy monthly passes which allow you to view sport, movies and TV, normally only available via a Sky subscription. Since NOW TV is owned by Sky, it makes sense that it also offers broadband services. In this case, broadband takes the form of four packages from 63Mbps to 300Mbps, designed to be affordable and flexible.
Your broadband router is a key factor in the speed of your internet connection. It is quite possible to have fast internet speeds piped to your home, which are then squandered by a poor quality router or a weak wifi signal. So which routers do you get with NOW Broadband? And are they any good?
How to get a NOW Broadband router
NOW Broadband provides the Sky Broadband Hub with all its broadband packages. The router is the same model supplied to Sky customers, following NOW Broadband’s integration with Sky’s services. To obtain a Sky Broadband Hub, you need to sign up for one of NOW’s broadband packages. NOW Broadband currently offers the following:
| Broadband Package | Download Speed | Upload Speed | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| NOW Superfast | 63Mbps | 11Mbps | £23 per month |
| NOW Full Fibre 75 | 75Mbps | 17Mbps | £23 per month |
| NOW Full Fibre 100 | 100Mbps | 18Mbps | £25 per month |
| NOW Full Fibre 300 | 300Mbps | 39Mbps | £30 per month |
Your Sky Broadband Hub should arrive within a couple of weeks after signing up. In most cases, self-installation is simple, but if an engineer needs to install a phone line, this may take a little longer.
NOW Broadband router features
NOW Broadband offers a straightforward set of packages. You can select between Fibre broadband speeds of 63Mbps, or Full Fibre packages of 75Mbps, 100Mbps, or 300Mbps, if you live somewhere Full Fibre is available. All of these packages now come with the Sky Broadband Hub as standard.
Sky Broadband Hub
- Latest wifi standards – The Sky Broadband Hub supports dual-band 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) for reliable and fast wireless connections
- Smart channel selection – The router automatically connects your devices to the best available wifi channel to ensure optimal performance
- Dual-band Wi-Fi – Like other modern routers, the Sky Broadband Hub operates on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands
- Four gigabit ethernet ports – The Sky Broadband Hub offers four gigabit ethernet ports for wired connections, improving upon the previous NOW Hub Two’s two ports
- Better Wi-Fi range – The router features enhanced antennae for improved coverage compared to previous models, ensuring a stronger signal throughout your home
- Broadband Buddy – The parental control feature, also available through Sky, allows you to manage the content accessible on individual devices
If there are any unfamiliar terms you'd like a more in-depth explanation of, check out our jargon-busting guide.
-
NOW Superfast- 63Mb average speed +
- Unlimited usage +
- PAYG calls
£23.00 per month(prices may change during contract)£5 one-off cost24 month contract -
NOW Full Fibre 75
- 75Mb average speed +
- Unlimited usage +
- No phone line
£23.00 per month(prices may change during contract)£5 one-off cost24 month contract -
NOW Full Fibre 100
- 100Mb average speed +
- Unlimited usage +
- No phone line
£25.00 per month(prices may change during contract)£5 one-off cost24 month contract
Setting up a NOW Broadband router
Setting up your Sky Broadband Hub is quick and straightforward.
If you’re replacing an older router, unplug the previous device and, if necessary, remove the microfilter from the phone socket. The Sky Broadband Hub comes with a grey cable that should be connected to the pre-filtered master phone socket or via a microfilter, if applicable. Connect one end to the phone socket and the other end to the hub.
Next, plug the hub into the mains power supply and turn it on. Once all the LED lights are the same colour, your broadband should be active. This typically takes around 20 minutes.
Your wifi log-in details can be found on the underside of the router, or on the card provided in the box. You are now ready to connect your devices.
Once your router is up and running, it’s advisable to ensure your network is secure. Our guide to securing your wifi router offers useful tips.
Legacy NOW Broadband routers
NOW Broadband used to supply the NOW Hub Two, a rebranded Sky Q Hub, with its broadband packages. However, with the shift towards offering broadband under Sky's network, the Sky Broadband Hub is now the standard router. Some older customers may still be using the NOW Hub Two or the original NOW Broadband Hub, but these are no longer provided to new customers.
