Sky Broadband Router

Sky sends every new broadband customer a Sky hub on loan: today that is the Sky Broadband Hub (WiFi 5), the Sky Max Hub (WiFi 6), or on Gigafast+ plans the Sky Gigafast+ Hub with WiFi 7.¹

You can’t choose your own router at sign-up, and several Sky features, including internet calls on full fibre, rely on the Sky hub.²

This guide covers each model and its specs, setting it up on full fibre, what the lights mean, fixes for slow WiFi, using your own router, and sending the hub back. Everything was checked on Sky’s own pages on 1 November 2026.

Sky’s current hubs compared

Sky’s three current hubs are the Sky Broadband Hub (WiFi 5, dual band), the Sky Max Hub (WiFi 6, dual band) and the tri-band Gigafast+ Hub with WiFi 7, which comes with Gigafast+ plans.¹³

Sky calls its routers hubs. These are the three it currently compares on its Gigafast+ page.

Sky’s current broadband hubs, from Sky’s own pages, 1 November 2026¹

	Sky Broadband Hub	Sky Max Hub	Sky Gigafast+ Hub
WiFi standard	WiFi 5	WiFi 6	WiFi 7
WiFi bands	Dual band	Dual band	Tri-band
Ethernet	1Gbps	1Gbps	Two 10Gbps ports (1 WAN, 1 LAN)*
Comes with	Not stated by package	Sent when you add WiFi Max to Hub 4 or older	Full Fibre 2.5 and 5 Gigafast+
WiFi Max add-on	From £6 a month	From £6 a month	Free

*Sky’s product comparison lists the Gigafast+ Hub’s “Max ethernet speeds” as 1Gbps and its WiFi bands as “Up to 10Gbps”.¹ Sky’s July 2025 launch announcement describes a tri-band hub with two 10Gbps Ethernet ports, one WAN and one LAN.³

The comparison figures look transposed, so we’ve used the launch figures; check with Sky if the port speed matters to you.

Sky says WiFi 7 on the Gigafast+ Hub is “up to twice as fast as WiFi 6 on compatible devices”, and that its casing is 85% recycled.¹

Older Sky hubs

Sky’s set-up and lights guides also cover two older models, the Sky Q Hub and the original Sky Hub. Sky doesn’t publish model numbers on its hub pages. Its set-up guide shows a picture of each hub so you can match yours.⁴

If you have an older hub and add WiFi Max, Sky says customers with “Hub 4 or older” are sent a new Sky Max Hub.⁵

Which hub comes with your package

• Full Fibre 2.5 Gigafast+ and 5 Gigafast+. The Gigafast+ Hub is included at no extra cost, and WiFi Max is free.¹
• Adding WiFi Max to another package. If your hub is Hub 4 or older, Sky sends a Sky Max Hub. If you already have a Max Hub or Gigafast+ Hub, you keep it.⁵
• Other new Sky Broadband orders. Sky says you’ll get “a new compatible Sky Hub”.² It doesn’t say which model each speed gets, so check your order confirmation.

Sky’s average speeds are measured on a wired connection to the hub and exclude WiFi performance.² Sky also says it subscribes to Ofcom’s Voluntary Code of Practice on broadband speeds.

Setting up your Sky hub on full fibre

On full fibre, run an Ethernet cable from the ONT’s PORT or LAN socket to the hub’s yellow port marked 4 (WAN), plug in the power, and you’re set up when all the hub lights are green.⁶

On full fibre (FTTP), your hub connects to an optical network terminal (ONT), the small box on the wall where the fibre comes in. If you need a new line, Sky says an Openreach engineer installs it.² Sky’s set-up steps are:

1. Wait for your activation date. The broadband can go live any time up to midnight that day.⁶
2. Position the hub in the open. Keep it out of cabinets, off the floor and away from the TV. Sky suggests about 30cm of space around it.⁶
3. Keep it away from interference. Sky says to keep it away from baby monitors, with a cordless phone base as far away as the cable allows.⁶
4. Check the ONT. Its Power and PON or Broadband lights should be green.⁶
5. Connect the Ethernet cable. Plug one end into the ONT port marked PORT or LAN. Plug the other into the hub’s yellow port marked 4 (WAN); Sky says no other yellow port works.⁶
6. Plug in your home phone. On full fibre, Sky Talk works as internet calls, so the phone goes into the phone port on the hub, not a wall socket.⁶
7. Connect the power. The blue end goes into the blue port. You’re set up when all the hub lights are green.⁶

On part fibre (FTTC) and other set-ups, Sky’s guide asks which hub you have and shows the matching steps.⁴

Sky hub lights and common fixes

On a Sky Max Hub, white means working and connected, amber means starting up, red means “there might be a problem” (run Service Checker), and no lights means no power.⁷

What the lights mean

These are Sky’s explanations for the Sky Max Hub. Other models differ, so check Sky’s lights guide for yours.

Sky Max Hub lights, from Sky’s help guide⁷

Light	What Sky says it means	What to do
Amber, flashing amber or flashing green	Starting up	Wait a few minutes; it turns white when connected
White	Working and connected	Nothing; if a device won’t connect, the problem is likely the WiFi or the device
Red	“There might be a problem”	Run Sky’s Service Checker, which tests your line and suggests a fix
Off	No power	Switch off at the mains, check the cable and socket, switch back on and wait for white

Quick fixes to try first

• Lights off. Switch off at the mains and check the power cable for damage. Test the socket with another device, then switch back on and wait.⁷
• Red light. Run Sky’s Service Checker at sky.com/servicechecker or in the My Sky app. It tests your line and suggests a fix.⁷
• No internet on full fibre. Check the ONT’s Power and PON lights are green. Check the cable is in the hub’s yellow port 4 (WAN).⁶
• Home phone dead. On full fibre the phone must be plugged into the hub’s phone port, not a wall socket.⁶
• Still not working. If Service Checker can’t fix it, Sky shows you contact options at the end. Our guide to contact Sky lists the published routes.

For problems that aren’t specific to Sky, see our guide to common broadband problems.

Slow or patchy WiFi

Test your speed: run it next to the hub, then in the room where WiFi is weak.

Powered by BroadbandSpeedTest.uk.com

• Move the hub. Put it in the open, with about 30cm of space, away from baby monitors and cordless phone bases.⁶
• Use a cable where you can. Plug gaming consoles and TVs that stream in 4K into the hub’s Ethernet ports. Sky’s speed figures are measured on a wired connection.²
• Check your speed. Run Service Checker or the My Sky app. Sky’s Speed Guarantee is measured as download speed to your Sky hub.²
• Add WiFi Max. It costs from £6 a month, and is free with Gigafast+.⁵ It comes with its own 24-month term.

WiFi Max adds three things:

• A WiFi guarantee. At least 10Mbps in every room on Superfast 35 to Full Fibre 100, or 25Mbps on Ultrafast and Full Fibre 150 to Gigafast, or one month’s money back.⁵
• Sky Max Pods. Up to three, if your WiFi falls short of the guarantee. They work as extra access points, like a mesh system.⁵
• Security and controls. Network-level security blocks known malicious and phishing sites. Parental controls, schedules and device priority run in the My Sky app.⁵

A Sky engineer confirms the WiFi speed for a guarantee claim. The guarantee doesn’t cover gardens, sheds or garden offices, and WiFi Max isn’t available with a Sky+ TV package.

Can you use your own router with Sky?

You can try, but Sky’s terms say it “cannot guarantee that Sky Broadband will work” with equipment it didn’t supply, and internet calls, Speed Guarantee checks and WiFi guarantee claims depend on the Sky hub.⁸²

You can try, but Sky won’t promise it works. Sky’s broadband terms say that if you use a modem or other equipment it didn’t supply, it’s your job to make sure it’s compatible, and Sky “cannot guarantee that Sky Broadband will work” with it.⁸ Sky still sends its own hub when you join.²

Sky says its hub lets you check speeds and connected devices in the My Sky app, and lets Sky’s tech team run checks if something goes wrong.² Three things in Sky’s own terms depend on the Sky hub:

• Your home phone on full fibre. Sky Talk runs as internet calls through the hub’s phone port.⁶
• The Speed Guarantee. It is measured as “download speed to your Sky Hub”, through Service Checker or the My Sky app.²
• WiFi guarantee claims. The Boost guarantee says a claim is “only valid if using Sky router and booster(s)”.²

The safe approach: keep the Sky hub connected and add your own mesh system or access points to it if you want better WiFi. Keep the hub safe even if you stop using it, because it’s on loan.²

Returning your Sky hub

Send back the Sky hub and any Boosters or WiFi Pods, but not the Openreach socket or ONT, within 60 days of your service ending, or Sky can charge a non-return fee.⁹¹⁰

When you cancel broadband, or Sky sends you a replacement hub, the old one goes back. Return the hub and any Sky Boosters or WiFi Pods, but not the Openreach master socket or the ONT.⁹ For a replacement, use the box the new hub came in, which includes a returns label.

If you’re leaving, Sky sends returns packaging 30 days after you tell it, and a free Royal Mail Returns label works if the packaging doesn’t arrive.⁹ Sky’s equipment page says to return kit within 60 days of your service ending.¹⁰

If kit doesn’t come back in time, Sky sends reminders and then charges a non-return fee:¹⁰

Sky’s non-return charges for broadband kit, 1 November 2026¹⁰

Equipment	Charge if not returned
Sky Gigafast+ Hub	up to £112
Sky Max Hub	up to £75
Sky Broadband Hub	up to £53
Sky Max Pod	up to £58
Sky Broadband Booster	up to £33

Paying the charge doesn’t make the hub yours. Sky’s terms say it credits the charge back, less any deduction for damage, if you return the kit within three years.⁸ Full steps are in our guide on returning your hub when you leave.

Common Sky hub mistakes

Most Sky hub problems people call about come from one of these five mistakes, and each one takes minutes to fix.

FAQs

Which Sky router do I have? Sky’s current hubs are the Sky Broadband Hub, Sky Max Hub and Sky Gigafast+ Hub. Older ones are the Sky Q Hub and Sky Hub. Sky’s set-up guide shows each one so you can match yours.⁴

Is the Sky hub free? It’s loaned to you at no cost and must be returned. Sky’s terms say a £9.95 router delivery fee may apply when you join.²

Does Sky’s hub support WiFi 7? Only the Gigafast+ Hub, which comes with Gigafast+ plans.¹

Can I upgrade my Sky hub? Adding WiFi Max gets you a Sky Max Hub if yours is Hub 4 or older.⁵ Upgrading to Gigafast+, where available, includes the Gigafast+ Hub.¹ See current Sky Broadband deals, our Sky Broadband review, and how other providers’ routers compare.

Sky router terms in plain English

Hub

Sky’s name for the router it lends you, which connects your home to the internet and broadcasts WiFi.

ONT (optical network terminal)

The small box on the wall where the fibre comes in on full fibre.

WAN port

The hub port that connects to the ONT. On Sky’s hub it’s the yellow port marked 4.

WiFi 5, 6 and 7

Successive generations of WiFi. Sky says WiFi 7 is up to twice as fast as WiFi 6 on compatible devices.

Dual band and tri-band

The number of radio bands a hub uses to send WiFi.

Ethernet

A cable connection between a device and the hub, steadier than WiFi.

Mesh system

Extra access points that spread one WiFi network around the home, as Sky Max Pods do.

Service Checker

Sky’s online tool that tests your line and hub and suggests a fix.

Sources

1. Sky, Sky Full Fibre Gigafast+ page and hub comparison (read 1 November 2026). sky.com
2. Sky, Sky Broadband FAQs, average speeds and legal terms (read 1 November 2026). sky.com
3. Comcast, Sky Gigafast+ and WiFi 7 hub launch release (9 July 2025). corporate.comcast.com
4. Sky Help, Which Sky Broadband hub do you have? set-up guide (read 1 November 2026). sky.com
5. Sky, Sky WiFi Max (read 1 November 2026). sky.com
6. Sky Help, setting up your hub with internet calls and an ONT (read 1 November 2026). sky.com
7. Sky Help, Hub lights explained: Sky Max Hub (read 1 November 2026). sky.com
8. Sky, Sky Broadband and Sky Talk terms (from April 2025). static.skyassets.com
9. Sky Help, Returning your Sky TV and broadband equipment (read 1 November 2026). sky.com
10. Sky Help, Charges for not returning Sky equipment (read 1 November 2026). sky.com