Kitz Forum

Broadband Related => Broadband Hardware => Topic started by: beardo47 on February 18, 2015, 01:30:53 AM

Title: Sky Fibre - What are the modem/router options?
Post by: beardo47 on February 18, 2015, 01:30:53 AM
Hi guys, posting this on behalf of a friend as I said I would do some research in to this for him. I'm on plusnet using the openreach modem and my trusty RT-N56U and it's been flawless, however Sky seems to be a whole other kettle of fish.

He's on sky fibre, switching to another provider isn't an option. He hates the Sky Hub (SR102 IIRC) and want's to be able to use a proper router with decent wireless.

There are many HG612's on eBay, some say they are unlocked but they are considerably more money. Can you use any router with these or are you locked to the N66U ?

He doesn't mind spending money as long as it works, the fact that Sky lock you to their own hub is pathetic why can't they just supply you with the openreach modem and let you use your own router?

Thanks in advance guys !
Title: Re: Sky Fibre - What are the modem/router options?
Post by: roseway on February 18, 2015, 07:16:36 AM
Hi and welcome,

It's very easy to unlock the HG612, so it isn't worth paying extra for an unlocked one (in my opinion). Unlocking instructions are here: https://huaweihg612hacking.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/hg612_unlock_instructions_v1-3.pdf

If it's been used you may need to do a full factory reset as well - with the HG612 powered up, press and hold the reset button for 30 seconds.

You can use any 'proper' router with it, that's to say it needs to have a WAN ethernet port as well as the normal LAN ports. Full information here: http://www.kitz.co.uk/routers/hg612unlock.htm
Title: Re: Sky Fibre - What are the modem/router options?
Post by: kitz on February 18, 2015, 08:15:37 AM
Just about to go out so cant do any digging atm.  Can someone else pick this up if possible please.

The HG612 modem will work with sky as that only authenticates you on to the BT platform.   
The problem comes with the Sky login and authentication so you have to be careful which router you choose.  Off the top of my head I think Asus with MER firmware is one of the known routers to work.   I 'think' one of the Billions may work too as I seem to recall mention some custom f/w  I'd have to double check that though.

AFAIK, the netgears and Zyxels wont.

http://andyduffell.com/techblog/?p=1441
Title: Re: Sky Fibre - What are the modem/router options?
Post by: Dray on February 18, 2015, 11:35:00 AM
Billion 8800NL setup instructions http://support.billion.com/_Internet/qsg/BiPAC-8800NL-QSGEN.pdf
Title: Re: Sky Fibre - What are the modem/router options?
Post by: kitz on February 19, 2015, 12:08:28 AM
Sorry for the delayed response - Been out all day and got back late :/

As mentioned in my earlier post, because of the way Sky operate their network using MER encapsulation and authentication,  there are very few routers that you can use.  Before you start you will need to get the login details from the Sky Hub SR101

There's only 2 known routers which will natively work with Sky FTTC these are



There are a few other routers that will work, but need they need installation of custom firmware such as DD-WRT or Merlin for ASUS.

---------
ETA

Theres another thread here which may be useful for setting up the Billion 7800N on Sky with the BT modem and how to obtain your sky password
http://www.skyuser.co.uk/forum/sky-broadband-fibre-help/50485-known-working-third-party-routers-sky-fibre-7.html#post415874
Title: Re: Sky Fibre - What are the modem/router options?
Post by: boost on February 19, 2015, 11:41:51 AM
Why does he hate the Sky hub? It's not exactly a ZyXel P660 is it? :P

Put any Openreach modem in front of it, change the settings to WANOE mode and extend the SR102, via ethernet, back to wherever wireless is needed in the house.

Job done? :)
Title: Re: Sky Fibre - What are the modem/router options?
Post by: kitz on February 21, 2015, 12:47:27 PM
The SR102 is rather limited in both config and hardware specs. 
It only has 10/100 Gb ports and single band 802.11n.   May as well use a TG582n for hardware specs... and at least that (IMHO) has better config options.
Title: Re: Sky Fibre - What are the modem/router options?
Post by: guest on March 01, 2015, 03:12:00 PM
It may be useful to note that the Sky BB Password Calculator ( http://www.ph-mb.com/products/sky-calc ) works for the SR102, just select Sagem as the router type - saves all the wireshark nonsense.
Title: Re: Sky Fibre - What are the modem/router options?
Post by: JamHam on April 30, 2015, 06:13:00 PM
Hi, I was wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction on setting up an Openwrt router for Sky Fibre, just got a Linksys WRT AC 1900 up and going with the Openwrt firmware and really want to replace my rubbish SR102.

I have got a HG612 as modem so that's ok, but the only guide for setting up Openwrt on Sky Fibre is 3 years old, will it have changed at all?

For reference this is the guide I'm referring to

http://www.skyuser.co.uk/forum/sky-broadband-fibre-help/50483-generic-open-wrt-sky-fibre-mer-guide.html (http://www.skyuser.co.uk/forum/sky-broadband-fibre-help/50483-generic-open-wrt-sky-fibre-mer-guide.html)

Thanks