Sky Broadband Hub and Sky Max Hub routers

Dan Howdle • November 25th, 2024

If you’re a Sky customer or thinking of becoming one, it’s good to know what to expect from the equipment Sky provides you. We have all the details both on Sky’s most recent routers, as well as those of old.

Sky is almost as well known for broadband as it is for TV. Sky TV packages now rely on internet streaming rather than a satellite dish, so a decent router is a must. Previous Sky routers have been adequate but certainly not great. The 2013 Sky Hub saw many years of service, but quickly fell behind the competition in terms of speed and signal strength.

The later Sky Q Hub – also now discontinued – was a necessary improvement, but is eclipsed by the superior Sky Broadband Hub which we have today, and even more so by the Sky Max Hub, which can either be added for an additional monthly cost, or comes as standard with Sky's top speed packages. New Sky broadband packages come with the Sky Broadband Hub as standard, barring the top speed Full Fibre 900. Let's take a look at what makes it an attractive option, both for existing Sky customers and those looking to change their provider.

How to get a Sky Broadband router

The Sky Broadband Hub is supplied as standard with all of its current internet packages. This is good news for new Sky customers, because the latest router is a real improvement on previous models from Sky. Indeed, the internet is awash with existing Sky customers asking how they can get one. The main reason behind this seems to be it’s improved signal range, which gives better Wi-Fi reception throughout the home.

For existing customers there are a couple of ways to get one. It may be possible to upgrade your broadband package to get the new hub. Alternatively, you can get a Sky Max Hub by adding Sky Wi-Fi Max to your package for a small extra monthly cost.

In most cases, you can expect your new Sky router to arrive in the post within a couple of weeks of signing up to a new Sky package. If an engineer is required to install a new phone line or Full Fibre line, then the time can vary depending on when an appointment is available.

Sky Broadband Hub features

All Sky broadband packages now come with the Sky Broadband Hub. But if you pay a little extra you can have the superior Sky Max Hub, which also comes with mesh repeaters to cover your whole home, should you need them. Let’s have a look at the tech specs of these two routers.

Sky Broadband Hub

• VDSL2/ADSL 2+ – VDSL2 allows connection via fibre to the cabinet (FTTC) services, while ADSL2+ enables connection through a traditional phone line
• Smart channel selection – The hub automatically selects the optimal Wi-Fi channel and frequency for your devices, ensuring a stable connection
• Smart scan – The router continuously monitors network performance and will automatically reboot if it detects a problem
• Dual band – The hub operates on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands, providing flexibility for device connections
• Four gigabit Ethernet ports – Equipped with four gigabit Ethernet ports, allowing wired connections for up to four devices
• Eight antennae – Features eight internal antennas to enhance Wi-Fi coverage throughout your home
• Internet calls – Includes a VoIP port for connecting an internet phone handset
• Number of devices – Supports connections for up to 64 devices simultaneously

Sky Max Hub

• Wi-Fi 6 technology – Offers the latest Wi-Fi 6 standard, providing faster speeds, greater capacity, and improved performance for multiple devices
• Smart channel optimisation – Automatically selects the best Wi-Fi channel and frequency to minimise interference and enhance connectivity
• Dual band – Operates on both 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands, ensuring compatibility and optimised performance across devices
• Four gigabit Ethernet ports – Includes four gigabit Ethernet ports for stable, high-speed wired connections
• Enhanced antenna design – Features eight internal antennas to deliver robust Wi-Fi coverage throughout your home
• VoIP-enabled – Provides a dedicated port for internet-based phone calls, enabling seamless voice communication
• Device support – Can handle up to 120 connected devices simultaneously, perfect for smart homes
• Smart scan – Monitors network health in real-time and automatically resolves common connectivity issues
• Eco-friendly design – Built with energy-efficient components to reduce power consumption without compromising performance

If there are any unfamiliar terms you'd like a more in-depth explanation of the terms used above, you can check out our jargon-busting guide.

Setting up a Sky Broadband router

If you require an engineer to get your Sky Broadband up and running, they will also set up your Sky Broadband Hub for you. If not, then you will need to do it yourself. For full instructions on various different types of phone socket, it is best to visit the Sky website instructions, which also has pictorial instructions. But if you want an overview to get an idea of how easy it is then look no further.

Your activation date is shown on the box your hub arrives in. When your activation date comes around, the first thing you need to do is unplug everything from your wall mounted telephone socket. Then find the micro filter supplied with your Sky Broadband Hub and plug it into the phone socket. You can then plug your telephone into the micro filter in the socket marked 'phone'.

The next step is to position the hub near your phone socket, preferably in a raised position to get maximum wifi coverage around your home. Your Sky Hub comes with a grey cable, sporting a white plug at one end and a purple one at the other end. Plug the white end into the micro-filter, and the purple end into your Sky Broadband Hub’s purple socket.

Next, connect the power supply plug to the hub before plugging it into the mains. There are four led lights on the front of the hub. When the first 3, indicating, power, internet and wifi are all showing a green light, you are ready to go. The log-in and password details for your wifi are shown on the back of the hub.

Once your router is up and running, we'd suggest you start making it as secure as possible. Our guide to securing your wifi router can help.

Legacy Sky routers

The Sky Broadband Hub is an improvement on the previous Sky Hub. The main improvement being its eight antennae, which give much better wifi coverage around your home. Previous versions struggled with bad reception in some rooms. But there are still plenty of previous Sky Hubs in circulation. The previous two being the old Sky Hub and the Sky Q Hub, but they are disappearing from use pretty fast.

• Sky Hub – This router has been knocking around since 2013 and was being supplied with its entry level Essential Broadband package until fairly recently. It uses the older, slower, 802.11n wifi standard, allowing connections at speeds of up to 100mbps, which is much slower than later Sky routers. Up to 32 devices can be connected
• Sky Q Hub – This router was provided to Sky Q customers and while it was an improvement on the 2013 model, its five antennae gave it less range and a weaker signal than the 2019 Sky Broadband Hub. However it could be connected to 64 devices and provided wifi speeds up to 1Gbps