Sky Broadband
Encyclopedia
Sky Broadband is an internet service provider for Sky customers.
As of March 2008 Sky claims to have reached 1.428 million customers, and unbundled 1,179 exchanges, covering 70% of the United Kingdom
. In October 2007, Sky reached the 1 million mark in terms of customer numbers, and claim to be adding one new customer every 40 seconds. From a marketing
perspective, Sky Broadband is an example of converged service. As of 30 September 2009, it had 2.3 million customers.
enabled exchanges, by means of LLU
), using ADSL
and ADSL2+ technologies via an Openreach copper landline (often still referred to as a BT line).
Sky also introduced a free Broadband pack for its digital TV subscribers within its LLU
coverage. This means anyone on Sky can get Broadband (with a 2GB usage cap) for free, as long as they live in a covered area and pay the connection fees.
For customers whose local exchange has not been Easynet enabled, the Connect service is available using the BT Wholesale
network.
Lines are initially connected at just 4mbps and gradually increased over the 10 day "training period" until the line can not cope with the speed, this allows sky to know what speeds the line can handle whilst still remaining stable.
Customers on previous Sky Broadband packages will be migrated to the new packages by 1 September 2010 with a new 12 month minimum term which does have an opt out option.
distributed to all Sky Broadband customers when they order their Sky Broadband packages.
During 2006, Netgear
were the only manufacturer of Sky Broadband routers, which were made in white. From 2008, Netgear and Sagem
were the manufacturers of the Sky Broadband routers, made in black and shaped to match the Sky+ HD box. Both routers are also distributed in smaller boxes (The boxes are now the size of the routers) as part of BSkyB’s low carbon scheme in turn reducing postage costs. The Sagem router unlike the Netgear router has added restrictions to features such as the built in inbound firewall
settings and outbound/inbound VPN
connections. However a firmware
upgrade is available upon request, for users wishing to connect to an outbound VPN connection using Sky Broadband, while maintaining restrictions on the inbound firewall and inbound VPN connection.
Towards the end of 2010, D-Link starting producing routers for sky. The D-Link router is the DSL-2640S.
, which will combine Sky Broadband and Sky+ HD to offer a true on-demand
service using the Ethernet
socket of the Sky+ HD box and the Sky Broadband router. Sky Customers will be able to connect their Sky router to their Sky+ HD box via an Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi adapter, and stream content directly to their television
. Unlike other VOD services, Sky Anytime+ video will count towards a users data usage.
was subjected to a DDoS attack as part of Operation Payback
. After the site came back online a 350mb file was uploaded containing Spreadsheets listing more than 8,000 Sky broadband customers accused of pirating adult films, this raised issues concerning Sky not following Data Protection Act guidelines.
As of March 2008 Sky claims to have reached 1.428 million customers, and unbundled 1,179 exchanges, covering 70% of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. In October 2007, Sky reached the 1 million mark in terms of customer numbers, and claim to be adding one new customer every 40 seconds. From a marketing
Marketing
Marketing is the process used to determine what products or services may be of interest to customers, and the strategy to use in sales, communications and business development. It generates the strategy that underlies sales techniques, business communication, and business developments...
perspective, Sky Broadband is an example of converged service. As of 30 September 2009, it had 2.3 million customers.
Networking
Sky Broadband provides Sky customers with Internet download speeds of up to 20Mbit/s (from EasynetEasynet
Easynet Global Services are a provider of managed network, hosting and telepresence solutions for businesses and enterprises worldwide.Founded in 1994, Easynet Global Services are part of the Easynet group of companies, along with Easynet Connect and UK Online.It was a part of BSkyB, a FTSE top 50...
enabled exchanges, by means of LLU
Local loop unbundling
Local loop unbundling is the regulatory process of allowing multiple telecommunications operators to use connections from the telephone exchange to the customer's premises...
), using ADSL
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line
Asymmetric digital subscriber line is a type of digital subscriber line technology, a data communications technology that enables faster data transmission over copper telephone lines than a conventional voiceband modem can provide. It does this by utilizing frequencies that are not used by a voice...
and ADSL2+ technologies via an Openreach copper landline (often still referred to as a BT line).
Sky also introduced a free Broadband pack for its digital TV subscribers within its LLU
Local loop unbundling
Local loop unbundling is the regulatory process of allowing multiple telecommunications operators to use connections from the telephone exchange to the customer's premises...
coverage. This means anyone on Sky can get Broadband (with a 2GB usage cap) for free, as long as they live in a covered area and pay the connection fees.
For customers whose local exchange has not been Easynet enabled, the Connect service is available using the BT Wholesale
BT Wholesale
BT Wholesale is a division of BT Group responsible for the wholesale leasing of PSTN lines, broadband services and other telephony services to retail customers such as BT Retail, Vodafone and Carphone Warehouse.-External links:*...
network.
Broadband Packages
Sky Everyday Lite and Sky Unlimited broadband packages are available if the house is in a Sky Broadband Network. Sky Connect is an alternative package for houses that are not in a Sky Broadband Network, the price is higher and the speed is slower.| Package Name | Download Speed | Monthly Usage Allowance | Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sky Broadband Everyday Lite | Up to 20Mbps | 2GB | Comes through Copper line |
| Sky Broadband Unlimited | Up to 20Mbps | Unlimited | Comes through Copper line |
| Sky Connect | Up to 8Mbps | 40GB | Option if the house is not in a Sky Broadband Network area |
Speeds
As with all ADSL connections, the further away from the telephone exchange the customer site is, the slower the speed will be. Sky use DLM (Dynamic Line Management) over the first 10 days of a new connection to stabilise the DSL line at an acceptable downstream and upstream speed in order for the connection to remain stable.Lines are initially connected at just 4mbps and gradually increased over the 10 day "training period" until the line can not cope with the speed, this allows sky to know what speeds the line can handle whilst still remaining stable.
Changes to packages
From the 1 June 2010, Sky Broadband packages available are Sky Broadband Everyday Lite and Sky Broadband Unlimited. Sky Everyday Lite offers a headline speed of Up to 20Mb, dependent on factors affecting the line, such as distance from the exchange, speed of the computer or number of people online during peak times and has a download usage limit of 2GB. Everyday lite is free to customers with a Sky Talk Calls or Line Rental product or £5pm without. Sky Unlimited has a headline speed of up to 20Mb, dependent on affecting factors but offers unlimited download usage with no fair usage policy or traffic management. The price of Broadband Unlimited is £7.50 for Sky Talk Customers or £12.50 for non-sky talk customers per month. Sky Talk Line Rental is priced at £12.25 with a free evening and weekend calls package or an unlimited calls package, including 20 international destinations for an extra £5 per month. Sky has the intention to increase the prices further from 1/9/11 though prices are to be confirmed in the future.Customers on previous Sky Broadband packages will be migrated to the new packages by 1 September 2010 with a new 12 month minimum term which does have an opt out option.
Sky Wireless Router
The Sky Wireless Router is a wireless routerWireless router
A Wireless router is a device that performs the functions of a router but also includes the functions of a wireless access point and a network switch. They are commonly used to allow access to the Internet or a computer network without the need for a cabled connection. It can function in a wired...
distributed to all Sky Broadband customers when they order their Sky Broadband packages.
During 2006, Netgear
Netgear
Netgear is a U.S. manufacturer of computer networking equipment and other computer hardware....
were the only manufacturer of Sky Broadband routers, which were made in white. From 2008, Netgear and Sagem
SAGEM
SAGEM was a major French company involved in defence electronics, consumer electronics and communication systems.In 2005, Sagem merged with SNECMA to form SAFRAN...
were the manufacturers of the Sky Broadband routers, made in black and shaped to match the Sky+ HD box. Both routers are also distributed in smaller boxes (The boxes are now the size of the routers) as part of BSkyB’s low carbon scheme in turn reducing postage costs. The Sagem router unlike the Netgear router has added restrictions to features such as the built in inbound firewall
Firewall (computing)
A firewall is a device or set of devices designed to permit or deny network transmissions based upon a set of rules and is frequently used to protect networks from unauthorized access while permitting legitimate communications to pass....
settings and outbound/inbound VPN
Virtual private network
A virtual private network is a network that uses primarily public telecommunication infrastructure, such as the Internet, to provide remote offices or traveling users access to a central organizational network....
connections. However a firmware
Firmware
In electronic systems and computing, firmware is a term often used to denote the fixed, usually rather small, programs and/or data structures that internally control various electronic devices...
upgrade is available upon request, for users wishing to connect to an outbound VPN connection using Sky Broadband, while maintaining restrictions on the inbound firewall and inbound VPN connection.
Towards the end of 2010, D-Link starting producing routers for sky. The D-Link router is the DSL-2640S.
Sky Anytime+
Sky have created Sky Anytime+Sky Anytime+
Sky Anytime+ is the brand-name of a ‘pull’ video on demand extension to the Sky Anytime service on BSkyB's Sky satellite television platform.-History:...
, which will combine Sky Broadband and Sky+ HD to offer a true on-demand
Video on demand
Video on Demand or Audio and Video On Demand are systems which allow users to select and watch/listen to video or audio content on demand...
service using the Ethernet
Ethernet
Ethernet is a family of computer networking technologies for local area networks commercially introduced in 1980. Standardized in IEEE 802.3, Ethernet has largely replaced competing wired LAN technologies....
socket of the Sky+ HD box and the Sky Broadband router. Sky Customers will be able to connect their Sky router to their Sky+ HD box via an Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi adapter, and stream content directly to their television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
. Unlike other VOD services, Sky Anytime+ video will count towards a users data usage.
Controversy
On 21 September 2010, the website of ACS:LawACS:Law
ACS:Law was a United Kingdom law firm specialising in intellectual property law. Prior to 2009, its most notable case was the defence of a British national accused of public indecency in Dubai. The firm is best known for its actions against persons allegedly infringing copyright through...
was subjected to a DDoS attack as part of Operation Payback
Operation Payback
Operation Payback is a coordinated, decentralized group of attacks on opponents of Internet piracy by Internet activists using the "Anonymous" moniker - a group sometimes affiliated with the website 4chan. Operation Payback started as retaliation to distributed denial of service attacks on torrent...
. After the site came back online a 350mb file was uploaded containing Spreadsheets listing more than 8,000 Sky broadband customers accused of pirating adult films, this raised issues concerning Sky not following Data Protection Act guidelines.
External links
- Sky Broadband at sky.com
- SkyUser - The Unofficial Sky Broadband Forum - Help with setting up and email etc
- Can I get Sky Broadband?
- Is Sky Broadband any good?
- An insiders view on Sky Broadband
- BBC article
- A UK Blog about Free Broadband Providers including Sky Broadband
- A consumer's (and former ISP manager/systems administrator) experience of Sky Broadband