Sky installation: Here's what you need to know

Dan Howdle • August 8th, 2024

If you’re thinking of joining Sky either for TV or broadband, it’s a good idea to know ahead of time what the process is, what it involves and how long you’re likely to wait. We have all the info right here.

Picking out a new broadband or TV deal is easy thanks to Cable.co.uk's comparison tools, but it's only the first part of the process. Getting new services up and running in your home requires the installation of hardware in the form of a router, a set top box, sometimes new cables, and sometimes, in Sky's case, a satellite dish.

Every broadband and TV provider does things differently and Sky has always stood out from the crowd thanks to the sheer breadth and scale of its offering. There's still a lot of faff when it comes to getting a satellite dish installed, but the good news is you no longer have to. Sky Stream delivers a full-throated Sky TV service over the internet, and you can be up and running the next day! Both Sky Q (satellite) and Sky Stream (internet) are on the market at the same time at the time of writing, so there's lots to say there. In this guide we'll take a look at the installation process for Sky's various technologies and services, whether you're going for broadband only, TV only or both broadband and TV, and whether streaming or satellite.

Sky broadband installation

Sky, like most broadband providers in the UK, uses the Openreach broadband network to provide its services. The upshot of this is that if you are switching to Sky from another provider on the Openreach network (this is pretty much everyone apart from Virgin Media) then you already have the right cables running to your property. Sky will simply take over the running of your phone line from your current provider. In this case, installation usually takes about two weeks and is free.

If you don't already have an Openreach telephone line running to your property, Sky will arrange this to happen for you. It will require an engineer to visit, but they will try to get things up and running from outside your home wherever possible. In this kind of situation, you can expect installation to take at least three weeks.

Likewise, if you're going from standard fibre to Full Fibre, a new line will need to be installed to and into your home, which will require an engineer visit and may drag things on a little longer than the standard two weeks (though not in most cases).

Routers

With the phasing out of the Sky Q Hub, Sky broadband now offers two updated options: the Sky Broadband Hub and the new Sky Max Hub. The Sky Broadband Hub, suitable for any Sky broadband package, boasts gigabit speed capability, supports up to 64 devices, and includes dual-band WiFi along with four Ethernet ports for extensive connectivity. Its eight WiFi antennae ensure strong signal coverage across your home, making it a robust choice for everyday internet needs.

For those requiring enhanced internet performance, the Sky Max Hub becomes available through an added subscription to Sky Wi-Fi Max. This premium option is designed to accommodate the most intensive internet use, supporting more devices and offering superior WiFi coverage aimed at ensuring seamless streaming and gaming experiences throughout larger homes or for multiple users.

Setting up your Sky broadband is straightforward. Whether you choose the Sky Broadband Hub or opt for the Sky Max Hub, the process involves connecting the router to the mains and your telephone socket. Simply switch on the router, wait for the initialisation, and once the power, internet, and Wi-Fi lights turn green, you are connected and online.

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Sky broadband and TV installation

You can get Sky TV either with broadband or on its own, and these days you won't need a satellite dish either, unless you're absolutely determined to opt for Sky Q – a technology Sky is currently phasing out. We can't think of any reason you wouldn't choose Sky Stream instead, first because you won't need a satellite dish, and second because you can be up and running the next day after signing up (if you order it on its own, otherwise your start date will be in two weeks, same as your broadband).

Sky Q (don't do it!) will require an engineer and a wait, and an ugly dish on your home. Sky Stream can be up an running next day and comes in a box so small you can tuck it behind most wall-mounted TVs.

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Sky TV installation

You can order Sky TV without taking broadband from Sky, but you will need a broadband connection (from any provider you like) if you want to make the most of all the features Sky TV has to offer. You no longer need a satellite dish installed on a south-facing wall of your house, provided you do the sensible thing and choose Sky Stream.

If you live in rented accommodation and have to have satellite TV for some reason, you'll need to get permission from the landlord before having a dish installed, as you would before having any holes drilled in the walls to allow for cables to enter the property. Or, as we say, you can just circumvent the whole problem and get Sky Stream, which only requires a power socket and a wifi connection.

A visit from a Sky TV engineer is required to get Sky Q (satellite) up and running. The engineer will check that everything is ok with the dish and will set up both the Sky Q set-top box and any Sky Q Mini boxes you may have ordered. The whole visit shouldn't take much longer than an hour and you can expect this to happen within a couple of weeks of placing your Sky TV order. Your viewing card will be sent to you in the post, and everything else will be taken care of on the day of your engineer visit*.

*We remind you once again not to do any of this if it can be avoided and to get Sky Stream instead.

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