Using a 3rd party router with sky broadband can be far-fetched for many, but if you have tried connecting sky broadband with one of these routers then you will understand. But why use any router with sky broadband? This can be due to a slow internet connection experienced by users around their homes which prompted the use of the new sky broadband Hub, which is part of Sky Broadband WiFi Guarantee. Even though Sky Broadband user gets less than 3Mbps WiFi in most rooms, this has prompted the use of any router with Sky Broadband to help improve WiFi internet connections in the rooms. To answer the question, can I use any router with Sky Broadband?
Yes, you can use the Sky Broadband with any router in your home internet that is supplied by Sky Broadband instead of using the standard Sky Q Hub. However, the router must be compatible with the DHCP Option 1/MER connection protocol.
Before you try to connect 3rd party router to your Sky Broadband you should make sure it is compatible with Sky Broadband. Most of these 3rd party routers do not match different router protocols, you have to make sure before buying, or you waste money on Access points.
Why choose third-party routers over Sky Broadband routers?
Sky broadband has nothing wrong with it but third-party routers are better than Sky broadband router. These third-party routers are designed to optimize the signal strength including internet performance and are at least 802,11ac, making these sky broadband replacement routers ideal.
The Sky broadband 802.11n routers are budget routers while customers are going for better third-party high-speed fiber internet compatible routers. The downside of these third-party routers is that they are expensive, but you will get faster connectivity to all rooms, they use the latest 802.11.ac instead of 802.11n routers. To use other routers is possible but remember, some of the recent internet gateways handle 5GHz better, and they do this better than dual-band routers. These routers are purpose-built routers design to synchronize bandwidth.
Replace Sky Q hub with own router
You can replace Sky Q Hub with own router provided it is using WiFi 6 standards, the third-party router that you are will be using to replace sky hub will link the sky fiber to home internet telephone lines which are then used in authenticating the system. When replacing the Sky Hub, your will need to authenticate the third-party router to be able to utilize all the resources because they use different settings than Sky and some ISPs. If the router replacing Sky Q Hub meets this guideline, then you will have no problem connecting to Sky Broadband with your own router.
Connecting 3rd party router with sky
When trying to connect 3rd party router with sky broadband to extend the Sky WiFi internet to reach other rooms require 3rd party wireless WiFi boost. To connect Sky Gateway with 3rd party router, you will need two to three 3rd party WiFi extenders. While Sky standard gateway router connects to the modem with Ethernet cable using available ports to 3rd party router internet port.
After the 3rd party router is successfully connected to the Sky router and online, you then connect WiFi extenders following the setup connection process guide for 3rd party extenders.
Is It Worth Buying Your Own WiFi Router
Buying your own WiFi router is the best because, with most internet providers, your router is rented and most certainly returned after you cancel the contract. With a Sky Broadband subscription, you also get a router but you are renting and will require you to send it back once the contract expires. With these third-party routers, you also increase internet signal strength, security, and saves you monthly rentals. Better internet routers are sold in most stores, most of these routers are standards WiFi 6 routers.
Best router buying tips for own use
When choosing the right router for your home, you have to make sure you buy a router that is fast and has reliable WiFi with good coverage but to achieve all this isn’t that easy for a newbie. Some hiding factors influence your buying which may not mean what it says, eg manufacturers use sales terms to influence your buying decision. In this section, I will break it down to help you know what to look for in a router and how to choose the best router on a budget for homes and needs.
1. A router with more than 128MB of RAM and a multi-core processor
These are some important factors, the RAM and processor in a router especially if you are video streaming, downloading files, gaming, and data break up that requires huge data transfers. This is why a wireless router requires loads of processing power to execute all this.
There are different router processors, the single-core processor, dual-core processor, and quad-core processor. I recommend you buy a router with no less than dual-core processors to handle more clients and data. For example, 1.2 GHz is bigger than 800 MHz, the bigger the better.
For the RAM, I recommend 128MB of RAM or more, the more RAM the more money you pay, but any of at least 256MB of RAM to 1 GB is the best router to buy.
2. Choose a dual-band router or more
Days are gone when people use single-band routers, these days people use at least dual-band routers (or tri-band) because they broadcast wireless signals using two frequencies. Each of these frequencies is 2.4 GHz band, the older standard wireless router with WiFi 4 (802.11n), while the newer wireless router is WiFi 6 (802.11ax).
The 2.4 GHz band is compatible with older devices, it is slow, having congestion problems where there is multiple GHz band WiFi like in a flat. I recommend buying dual-band or tri-band routers which have signals of up to 5GHz which are faster.
3. Avoid confusing naming routers bandwidth
When buying wireless routers, avoid routers that are less than AC1200, newer routers that support WiFi 6 have AX11000 before the numbers.
4. Read reviews to find speed
Manufacturers use specialized labs using networking materials instead of real-life speed tests thereby showing results based on sales expectations. Online reviews from real-life reviews from users like Gawkygeek use real-life computers and experiences when it comes to routers reviews.
5. Routers with app
The latest routers use a smartphone app for easy accessibility and settings, unlike the older routers that use a web browser to access the firmware through a computer connected to the router. Different routers use the mobile app, those that use basic apps to set just easy things like WiFi password, and there are advanced apps where you can configure almost all the features on the router.
So, when buying a router, look out for routers with smartphone advanced apps, and also routers that not only work while connected to that particular WiFi router but has remote management. Routers with remote management are usually offered as premium routers and mid-range routers.
6. A router with a USB port
We are no longer in ancient times when routers don’t have USB ports, in modern times, routers come with USB and because USB ports are used for many things and on different devices, this feature is a must-have. I recommend buying a router with USB 3.0 and having at least one USB port, some routers have other USB Type C.
7. Routers with Quality of Service (QoS)
This is used to set rules regarding how bandwidth is used or split to each of the connected devices on the network. Most people don’t use it or don’t even know what it’s all about, but it helps, not allocating the right bandwidth or controlling how it’s shared can cause poor connections. You will find wireless routers with Adaptive QoS, Intelligent QoS, and Dynamic QoS. QoS helps manage bandwidth splitting automatically and you don’t have to do anything because they use smart algorithms, but they deliver good results.
8. Routers with Smart home integration
Homes are getting smarter by using home sensors and smart devices, a router that integrates into your smart device like the task automation or Alexa smart assistant would be ideal. You can either use voice command to turn the router on/off, turn Guest WiFi on/off, turn LEDs on/off, or set the timer for routers and many more.
9. Routers that support Mesh WiFi
Look out for vendors who sell mesh WiFi systems that are integrated into the router instead of those that sell them separately as different products.
10. Routers with firewall, antivirus, and VPN
The downside with this is that most routers that offer antivirus, VPN servers, and security features come at a price. But they help protect your network from outside attacks and malware but be careful because routers whose hardware is weak do offer all these features. I recommend you go for higher price routers with loads of RAM and more powerful hardware.
Conclusion
By now I assume you are now well equipped to search for the best routers for your home, and also hope to have answered your question on “can I use any router with my sky broadband”. You can use any router but make sure the router has DHCP option 1/MER connection protocol. Also, when buying a router as a newbie follow my router buying tips to get the best out of your router.
