Sky and BT are top broadband providers in the UK. They both have appealing broadband
packages, TV bundles, and phone services. This guide aims to compare their broadband services in
detail. It
will look at speeds, prices, routers, customer service, and TV options. This information will help you
choose the
best option.
Overview of Sky and BT Broadband
Providers
Sky and BT both use the Openreach broadband network. This network provides wide coverage all over the UK. Sky
sets
itself apart with the Sky Broadband Hub. It has Wi-Fi 6 technology, which offers faster speeds and better
connection
quality. BT is well-known for its strong coverage in rural areas. They offer premium plans that come with
higher
upload speeds.
Router Technology: Sky provides a Wi-Fi 6 Sky Max Hub with its full fibre
plans. BT, on the other hand, uses the Wi-Fi 5 Smart Hub 2.
Price and Value: Sky's plans are usually cheaper. They have lower setup costs and include phone
lines.
Speeds: BT has a small advantage in upload speeds for their top packages. Download speeds are
similar for
both.
TV Services: Sky stands out with exclusive channels like Sky Atlantic and Sky Sports.
Pricing Comparison: Sky vs BT Broadband
Provider
Package
Download Speed
Upload Speed
Monthly Price
Setup Fee
Contract Length
Notes
Sky Broadband
Superfast 35
36 Mbps
9 Mbps
£25.00
£5 refundable
24 months
Includes phone line
Superfast
59 Mbps
16 Mbps
£27.00
£5 refundable
24 months
WiFi Max add-on for £4/month
Ultrafast
145 Mbps
30 Mbps
£29.00
£5 refundable
24 months
Includes Sky Max Hub
Ultrafast Plus
500 Mbps
60 Mbps
£32.00
£5 refundable
24 months
Minimum speeds of 25 Mbps
Gigafast
900 Mbps
90 Mbps
£41.00
£5 refundable
24 months
Great for large households
BT Broadband
Fibre Essential
36 Mbps
8-9 Mbps
£33.99
£41.99 upfront
12 months
Includes activation + kit delivery
Fibre 1
50 Mbps
10 Mbps
£39.99
£41.99 upfront
12 months
Basic plan for light users
Fibre 2
74 Mbps
20 Mbps
£41.99
£41.99 upfront
12 months
Suitable for small families
Full Fibre 100
150 Mbps
30 Mbps
£29.99
Free
24 months
Free BT Reward Card
Full Fibre 500
500 Mbps
73 Mbps
£34.99
Free
24 months
Best for gamers and streamers
Full Fibre 900
900 Mbps
110 Mbps
£54.99
£41.99 upfront
12 months
Premium plan for power users
Key Takeaways:
Sky provides better value, especially for their basic and mid-level plans.
BT's plans cost more, but they sometimes offer special rewards like BT Reward Cards.
Broadband Speeds and Performance
Both providers give fast broadband speeds. However, their services are a bit different.
Provider
Package
Download Speed
Upload Speed
Best For
Sky Broadband
Superfast 35
36 Mbps
9 Mbps
Light browsing and email use
Superfast
59 Mbps
16 Mbps
Families streaming in HD
Ultrafast
145 Mbps
30 Mbps
Moderate gaming and streaming
Ultrafast Plus
500 Mbps
60 Mbps
Heavy internet use, multiple users
Gigafast
900 Mbps
90 Mbps
Large households, seamless usage
BT Broadband
Fibre Essential
36 Mbps
8-9 Mbps
Light browsing and email use
Fibre 1
50 Mbps
10 Mbps
Small households, moderate usage
Full Fibre 500
500 Mbps
73 Mbps
Gamers, heavy downloaders
Full Fibre 900
900 Mbps
110 Mbps
Advanced users, multiple devices
Router Technology: Sky Max Hub
vs
BT Smart Hub 2
Feature
Sky Max Hub
BT Smart Hub 2
Wi-Fi Standard
Wi-Fi 6
Wi-Fi 5
Mesh Support
Yes (WiFi Max add-on)
Yes (Complete Wi-Fi add-on)
Security
WPA3
WPA2
Ethernet Ports
4 x 1Gb
4 x 1Gb
The Sky
Max Hub is a better choice. It uses Wi-Fi 6 technology. This means it provides faster speeds. It
also offers
improved performance. With this hub, you can handle more devices at once.
TV and Broadband Bundles
Sky provides great TV services. They have special channels like Sky Atlantic and Sky Sports.
Provider
TV Bundle
Broadband
Monthly Price
Channels
Sky Broadband
Sky Ultimate TV + Gigafast
900 Mbps
£59.00
150+
Sky Sports + Ultrafast Plus
500 Mbps
£49.00
11 Sports Channels
BT Broadband
Entertainment + Fibre 2
74 Mbps
£43.99
96 (includes NOW TV)
Big Sport + Full Fibre 500
500 Mbps
£74.99
Over 100 sports channels
Customer Service and Satisfaction
Metric
Sky Broadband
BT Broadband
Complaints per 100,000 users
5
10
Customer Satisfaction
82%
83%
Average Call Waiting Time
2:14 minutes
2:45 minutes
BT vs Sky Customer
Reviews: A Trustpilot Comparison
When you pick a
broadband provider, customer reviews are important. They help you see how good the service is, if
it’s
reliable, and how happy people are. BT and Sky are two top broadband providers in the UK. Both have a
TrustScore
of
1.3 out of 5 on Trustpilot. This shows that many customers are not happy with them. This article will
explain
their
reviews and what they say about customer satisfaction.
Comparison: BT vs Sky Reviews
Metric
BT
Sky
Total Reviews
18,128
14,799
TrustScore
1.3 out of 5
1.3 out of 5
5-star reviews
7%
8%
1-star reviews
88%
84%
Common Complaints
Poor service, billing issues
High costs, unreliable service
Common Customer Complaints: BT
Broadband
1. Poor Customer Service
Many BT broadband customers have problems with customer support. They face long waiting times and find the
staff
unhelpful. Many complaints remain unresolved. This affects home broadband users and those with BT TV
bundles.
Ofcom’s report shows that BT's ability to handle complaints is below the industry average.
2. Billing Issues
Customers often mention issues like being charged too much or finding hidden fees. These problems are
especially
seen among people who sign up for BT broadband packages or full fibre broadband plans. They feel they
aren't
getting the value for their money.
3. Unreliable Broadband Speeds
Some BT users face slow broadband speeds, even with the Openreach network. This is often seen in rural areas.
BT's full fibre packages promise high average download speeds. However, many customers say their speeds
are
lower than expected. This issue can hurt their ability to watch live TV, like BT Sport or EE TV.
4. Delayed Repairs
Many people feel upset about the slow repairs for broadband or internet phone line issues. If you're
relying
on
a nationwide network of hotspots or full fibre connections, these delays can mess up both work and fun
activities.
Common Customer Complaints:
Sky
Broadband
1. Unreliable Broadband
Sky broadband customers often struggle with their fibre broadband. They experience regular outages and large
speed
drops during busy times. Even though Sky provides full fibre broadband plans using the Openreach network,
users
say
that the speeds they get are usually much lower than the highest speeds shown in their full fibre packages.
2. High Costs
Sky offers broadband deals that many people feel are too expensive. This is especially true when they also
consider
Sky TV or Sky Stream services. Customers often think Sky's prices are higher than those of providers
like
Virgin
Media. They feel this way, especially when they add in the extra monthly fee for services like Sky WiFi Max.
3. Poor TV Service
Customers often talk about problems with Sky’s TV services. This includes issues with Sky Q boxes, Sky
Cinema,
and
TNT Sports. Many people mention that the streaming quality could be better. They also feel that TV packages
do
not
offer enough flexibility. This is especially true when using Sky Glass or trying to get content without a
satellite
dish.
4. Customer Support Problems
Sky’s customer support gets a lot of complaints, just like BT. Customers with broadband
and
TV have long wait times. They feel their problems are not solved well and that there is not enough
clarity.
This makes them unhappy. Even though Sky tries to fix these issues, they still do worse than the sector
average.
Verdict:
Sky has fewer complaints.
Sky has shorter wait times.
BT’s satisfaction rate is a bit higher.
BT has more complaints.
Sky vs BT: Home Phone Plans Comparison
Provider
Call Plan
Monthly Price
Features
BT Broadband
Pay As You Go Calls
£5
Pay-per-call model, suitable for light users
700 Minutes
£8
700 inclusive minutes to UK landlines and mobiles
Unlimited Minutes
£18
Unlimited calls to UK landlines and mobiles
Friends & Family Intl.
£2.63
Discounted rates to 236 international destinations
International Freedom
£11.23
Includes calls to select international destinations
Sky Broadband
Pay As You Talk
Included
Pay-per-call model, 22p/min for UK calls
Talk Evenings & Weekends
£5.75
Unlimited evening and weekend calls to UK numbers
Talk Anytime Extra
£16
Unlimited anytime UK calls
Talk International Extra
£15.50
Unlimited calls to 50 international destinations
Key Takeaways: BT vs Sky
Home Phone Services
Flexibility: BT has many choices for international callers. They offer plans like
Friends
&
Family International and International Freedom. Sky’s Talk International Extra allows unlimited calls to
50
destinations.
Cost-Effective Options: Sky’s Talk Evenings & Weekends plan is less expensive than
the
similar plans from BT. However, BT is better for users who need customisation for light or international
use.
Bundle Inclusion: Sky gives a basic phone line with every broadband
plan. BT offers plans that include broadband only for those who do not need a landline.
Choosing the right plan depends on how you usually make calls. If you want international coverage, you might
prefer
BT’s Friends & Family International plan. If you need unlimited UK calls, Sky Talk Anytime Extra is a
good
option.
FAQs About Sky vs BT Broadband
What are the main differences between Sky and BT broadband?
Sky has lower prices and better TV bundles.
BT has higher upload speeds and covers rural areas well.
Which provider has better customer service?
Sky has less complaints and shorter waiting times. On the other hand, BT has a bit higher
satisfaction scores.
Which router is better: Sky Max Hub or BT Smart Hub 2?
Sky Max Hub is great because it supports Wi-Fi 6. This feature makes it perfect for fast internet
and
connecting
many devices at the same time.
Do both providers offer TV and broadband bundles?
Sky has more complete choices. It even includes special channels like Sky Atlantic.
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