Sky broadband is a Full Fibre and FTTC service that runs on the Openreach network, with download speeds from 36 Mbps up to 900 Mbps Gigafast and a WiFi Guarantee on every Full Fibre plan. Our verdict: it is a strong, reliable mainstream choice, especially on Full Fibre, but because Sky resells the same Openreach line as BT, Plusnet and Vodafone, a like-for-like rival is often a few pounds cheaper. This independent review covers every package, the real-world speeds, the pros and cons and how to switch.
At a glance
At a glance
Broadband
Updated 19 May 2026
Live deals
Headline prices verified on . Sky changes promos every few weeks, so the price you see when you click through to sky.com is what counts.
Superfast (FTTC)
Download
36 Mbps
Average
Upload
8 Mbps
Average
24 months . £0 upfront
Best for
A 1 to 2-person household with light browsing and streaming
Entry full fibre
Download
150 Mbps
Average
Upload
28 Mbps
Average
24 months . £0 upfront
Best for
A family of 3 to 4 streaming HD and working from home
Mid-tier full fibre
Download
500 Mbps
Average
Upload
60 Mbps
Average
24 months . £0 upfront
Best for
Four or more people gaming, streaming 4K, video-calling all day
Top full fibre
Download
900 Mbps
Average
Upload
100 Mbps
Average
24 months . £0 upfront
Best for
Smart homes, content creators, anyone moving large files daily
Fibre, explained simply
Sky sells two physically different broadband technologies under one brand. They give very different real-world speeds and the cheaper one is being phased out by 2027.
Recommended where available
A glass fibre cable runs from the Openreach exchange all the way to a small white box on the wall inside your home. Speed does not drop with distance from the cabinet.
Fallback only, copper switch-off 2027
Fibre to the street cabinet, then copper from the cabinet to your home. Speed drops the further you live from the cabinet, so two neighbours can get very different speeds on paper.
If Sky’s checker says you can get Full Fibre at your postcode, take it. The 100 Mbps tier is faster and more stable than the best Essential Plus line and usually costs only £5 a month more.
Speed guide
Marketing always pushes the top tier. Real households rarely need it. Match your use to the right speed and you avoid paying for headroom you never touch.
| Your use case | Minimum sensible speed | Recommended Sky tier |
|---|---|---|
| Browsing, email, social media | 15 Mbps | Essential Plus (36 Mbps) |
| HD streaming on 1 to 2 devices | 25 Mbps | Essential Plus or Full Fibre 100 |
| 4K streaming on 1 to 2 devices | 50 Mbps | Full Fibre 100 (150 Mbps) |
| Family of 4, multiple devices, video calls | 100 Mbps | Full Fibre 100 or 500 |
| Heavy gaming and 4K on 4+ devices simultaneously | 300 Mbps | Full Fibre 500 or Gigafast |
| Smart home, content creator, work-from-home pro | 500 Mbps | Full Fibre Gigafast (900 Mbps) |
The verdict
The short version of our Sky broadband review: a dependable Full Fibre product with a genuine WiFi Guarantee, held back mainly by price and long contracts.
Sky vs the alternatives
Sky, BT, Plusnet and Vodafone all sell the same Openreach Full Fibre line, so the speeds are identical and the choice comes down to price, perks and customer service. Virgin Media runs its own separate cable network and reaches higher headline speeds.
| Provider | Network | Top speed | Stands out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sky This page | Openreach FTTP / FTTC | 900 Mbps | WiFi Guarantee on all Full Fibre tiers |
| BT | Openreach FTTP / FTTC | 900 Mbps | Complete Wi-Fi guarantee, EE mobile perks |
| Plusnet | Openreach FTTP / FTTC | 900 Mbps | Usually the cheapest on the same line |
| Vodafone | Openreach + CityFibre FTTP | 910 Mbps | Price-lock promise, no mid-contract hikes |
| Virgin Media | Own cable network | 1,130 Mbps | Fastest widely available speeds, separate network |
Not sure who wins on your street? Compare every provider on the same line with our cheapest broadband and fastest broadband guides, or check broadband in my area to see what is live at your postcode.
How to switch
Since the One Touch Switch rules, moving to Sky takes four steps and you never have to call your old provider. See our full switch broadband provider guide for the detail.
Run the postcode checker to see whether Full Fibre or only Essential Plus is live on your street, and which speeds you can actually order.
Sky resells Openreach, so compare like-for-like deals from BT, Plusnet and Vodafone on the identical line before you decide.
Under One Touch Switch, you only contact your new provider. Sky handles the move and cancels your old service for you, with no overlap or double billing.
Existing Openreach lines are usually a self-install in 5 to 10 working days. A brand-new FTTP install needs an engineer and takes 2 to 4 weeks.
See every provider on your line, then browse the full broadband providers directory or return to the TV and broadband hub.
FAQ
Sky Full Fibre runs on the Openreach FTTP network. In May 2026 around 65% of UK premises can order Full Fibre on at least one ISP. The fastest way to check is the postcode checker on sky.com. If Full Fibre is not live on your street yet, Sky will sell you the slower Essential Plus over the copper line as a stopgap.
Sky promises guaranteed WiFi speeds of at least 25 Mbps in every room on Full Fibre tiers (or the equivalent WiFi Max add-on on Superfast). If WiFi drops below that and Sky cannot fix it in 30 days, you can leave penalty-free or claim a £50 credit. The credit is automatic on validated fault tickets, so you do not have to chase it.
It is solid for most homes: dual-band WiFi 5, four LAN ports and band steering. For thick-walled or multi-floor homes, Sky sells Sky WiFi Max, a mesh add-on that drops a second pod (or more) around the house. Independent reviews put the Hub mid-pack vs BT’s Smart Hub 2, ahead of the basic Plusnet and Vodafone routers but behind Virgin Media’s Hub 5.
For an Openreach line that already exists at your address, the activation is typically a self-install in 5 to 10 working days. For brand-new FTTP installs that need an engineer to pull fibre to the property, expect 2 to 4 weeks. Sky books the appointment and you only need to be in for the engineer slot, usually a four-hour window.
Yes. Sky sells broadband as a standalone product and most Full Fibre and Essential Plus prices on its website assume no TV add-on. Sky broadband only is the right choice if you already stream through Netflix, Disney+ or a smart TV and just want a reliable connection. You can add Sky TV later, as Sky Stream is on a 31-day rolling contract and does not affect your broadband contract.
Sky broadband is a solid mainstream choice. On Full Fibre it delivers speeds close to advertised, comes with the WiFi Guarantee and scores well for customer service in Ofcom and independent satisfaction surveys. The main trade-off is price: because Sky resells the Openreach network, the exact same line is often available from Plusnet, BT or Vodafone for a few pounds less. It is good value when you want a recognised brand with the WiFi Guarantee, less so if your only goal is the lowest possible monthly bill.
For most homes we rate Sky Full Fibre 100 as the sweet spot: 150 Mbps average, the WiFi Guarantee and unlimited usage on a 24-month term. Essential Plus is worth taking only where Full Fibre is not yet live on your street. Before committing, always compare the cheapest broadband deals on the same Openreach line, as a like-for-like rival is frequently cheaper.
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