Latest news with #Gigafast+
Daily Mirror
5 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Sky dishes out quicker broadband speeds - is it worth the price?
Sky has dropped a new 2.5Gbps plan Brits are set to experience lightning-fast internet as Sky Broadband announces it's boosting speeds up to 2.5Gbps and 5Gbps, a significant leap from the previous 1Gbps (1000Mbps) service. These ultra-fast speeds mean you can download hefty files in seconds, sync your entire music library instantly, and stream in the highest quality across several devices without any lag. Sky Broadband's new offerings are certainly impressive, but they come with a hefty price tag, costing £70 a month for the 2.5Gbps service and £80 a month for the 5Gbps service. The more affordable Sky Full Fibre Gigabit service, which delivers 900Mbps, is almost half the cost at £38 a month, although it doesn't include Sky's WiFi Max, which is part of the package with the new Gigafast+ services. Included with Sky's Gigafast+ service is the latest router, the Gigafast+ hub, which utilises WiFi 7 technology to ensure a super-fast connection for all your devices. This is bolstered by Sky's WiFi Max service, typically an additional £4 a month, reports the Express. Sky adds much quicker broadband speeds £70 Sky Buy Here Product Description Opting for Sky's less expensive Gigafast service and adding WiFi Max still saves you £38 a month compared to the premium package. Sky stands out as the first "mainstream" provider to offer these blistering speeds, setting a benchmark that competitors like BT or Virgin Media have yet to match. Although there are more economical 1Gbps options available, Sky's pricing for the higher speeds seems reasonable in comparison. Here are the top broadband deals being offered by Sky's competitors on gigabit and faster services:. Comparing these prices, Sky Broadband's £70 a month appears to be a competitive rate, but also consider that the recent Virgin Media-O2 merger has resulted in the Mega Volt bundle, which is £79.99 a month, but provides you with 1130Mbps broadband, a substantial TV package, and an unlimited O2 SIM. These aren't your only options: Community Fibre offers a 5Gbps for £59 a month, though you'll need to verify if your area is covered, while Hyperoptic offers 1Gbps broadband for £37 a month and there are other providers as well. The crucial factor is that you're selecting a broadband deal that not only suits your budget, but also meets your needs. If you simply have poor WiFi in your home, then acquiring a mesh router might resolve that issue, rather than pursuing faster speeds. However, if you're a video editor working from home with large files being transferred online, then it might be that 5Gbps provides you with the connectivity you require. As always with broadband, check the price increases and the length of the contract too, so you have an understanding of the long-term costs. Sky Broadband's new service is made possible thanks to full fibre connections to the home supplied by CityFibre. You can check if you can get the service on Sky's website, but what you do once you have that connection is important too. Within your home, the router you utilise is crucial, which is why Sky's new Gigafast+ services are paired with the fresh Gigafast+ hub. The enhanced WiFi 7 connectivity allows a greater number of devices to connect at swifter speeds, preventing any bottleneck. However, to fully benefit from that WiFi, your gadgets must be WiFi 7 compatible as well, otherwise they will default to the slower WiFi standard they support. WiFi 7 is only supported on the latest devices, such as the iPhone 16, the iPhone 15 doesn't have it. It's worth keeping this in mind because while cutting-edge technology may seem attractive, this is about future-proofing and ensuring the provision of high-speed connectivity moving forward. Currently, if you're seeking the best gigabit broadband deal, then choosing the Virgin Media or Plusnet deals is a more cost-effective option.
Daily Record
17-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Sky beats Virgin Media and BT as it rolls out UK's 'fastest' fibre broadband
Sky has unveiled its new Gigafast+ fibre broadband packages that can deliver internet speeds of up to 5Gbps, which it says is faster than any other major provider - but is that true? Sky says it is now the UK's 'fastest major broadband provider' as it rolls out a significant upgrade to its network. On Tuesday (July 15), Sky introduced its new Gigafast+ fibre broadband packages, capable of delivering internet speeds up to 5Gbps. In contrast, a conventional copper wire connection can only achieve speeds up to 80Mbps, while Virgin Media 's fastest broadband speeds offer roughly 1.1Gbps. Sky's new ultra-fast speeds are available on two packages, with 2.5Gbps Full Fibre Gigafast+ priced at £70 per month. Customers can double those speeds to 5Gbps Full Fibre Gigafast+ for an additional £10, costing £80 in total. These lightning-fast connections are delivered by Sky's new Gigafast+ hub, touted as its 'most advanced' router. The device utilises WiFi 7 technology, which delivers speeds twice as fast as WiFi 6, making it perfect for remote working, 4K streaming or gaming. Sky Gigafast+ is powered by Sky's collaboration with CityFibre, using the latter's full fibre network to deliver speeds to 4.5 million premises across the UK. However, there's a catch – these speeds aren't available for everyone, with only those on the CityFibre network currently able to benefit. Customers can check their eligibility by entering their postcode on the Sky website, reports the Mirror. Those eligible for the enhanced speeds also get Sky's WiFi Max add-on at no extra cost. Typically costing £4 per month, this service promises WiFi access throughout the home or money back, alongside advanced security features, parental controls, device priority, convenient engineer visits and backup Sky Mobile data for unplanned outages. New customers can also claim up to £100 towards switching fees if charged by their existing provider, with the One Touch Switch service meaning Sky handles the changeover on the customer's behalf. Announcing the new Gigafast+ packages, Sophia Ahmad, Chief Consumer Officer at Sky, said: "We're proud to be setting a new standard in UK broadband. "With speeds up to 5Gbps, our new Full Fibre Gigafast+ packages make Sky the UK's fastest major broadband provider. Combined with our existing full fibre range, we're offering more choice than ever before. Powered by cutting-edge WiFi 7 technology, these plans deliver smarter, faster, and more reliable connectivity to homes across the country." Whilst the exceptional speeds of Sky Gigafast+ are impressive, they arrive with quite a price tag. Those seeking a more budget-friendly connection may wish to consider Virgin's Gig1 Fibre Broadband (£34.99) or BT's Full Fibre 900 (£38.99), both of which can download a feature-length film in seconds. As Sky's Gigafast+ is a new product, it has yet to receive any reviews, but customers have been sharing their overall experiences with the provider on Trustpilot. One five-star review says: "I have been with Sky for over 11 years. "I have never had any problems with the broadband, amazing speed they always give me amazing deals, never gone down and never had to have an engineer come out. Would highly recommend." Another said: "I have just had Sky broadband updated from wire to FTTP. It was straightforward to order. I was kept fully informed. "The engineers arrived when they said they would and were very obliging in putting the new cable exactly where I wanted it. The result is a much faster and more reliable internet connection." Another customer shared a less positive experience, saying: "Sky provided generally acceptable broadband service for years. Their customer service staff are also typically useful, personable and clearly try their best. However, they were extremely slow at making fixes or solutions actually happen." While another happy customer said: "I am so made up with the outstanding service I have received, clear instructions and advice, outstanding manner, knowledge and excellent customer service skills. I am happy with Sky as my broadband provider. "Arranged an engineer quickly and efficiently and was detailed in asking questions and whilst waiting on a reply, was informative and friendly."
