Sky Broadband - I want it, but they don't seem interested

[Rack]

I had Sky installed on the weekend with the intent of having Sky Broadband hooked up this week. But they only have a 'register your interest' on the website - which I did a week ago - and no contact so far. I find it weird that I want to buy something off them and I can't get in contact with a sales person to organise it. Maybe they have a huge backlog or something, but I find it very poor customer service - especially in comparison with their TV customer service, which I found to be very good.

Anyone get Sky Broadband recently?

[kopite]

I havent got sky broadband But have heard that they werent expecting the amount of people who have signed up for it so are really far behind setting it up. Similar to talk talk really.

[Rack]

Yeah, I just rang them and they said up to 4 weeks! I already requested my MAC code from Pipex... so Pipex could disconnect me before I get sky.

I wish they'd told me that it was that long a wait in the first place. My mate got NTL the other day, he had the TV box installed, that same day he had the broadband up and running...

[Splash]

Unless I'm massively misinformed obtaining a MAC will not cancel your broadband unless the new ISP contacts your current ISP - the code will simply expire and you will stay with yourcurrent ISP.

[Rack]

hmmm... maybe the pipex guy was being an idiot then when he said that to me.

[kopite]

Your service will only be cancelled if the mac code has been used by your new isp.

[Nemeliza]

Sky has alot of backlog with broadband requests thats why they only allow you to register an interest. It has been this way since launch and apparently they continue to do so as it allows them to connect people on a first come basis.

As far as im concerned cable broadband beats DSL hands down, but Sky's TV blows cable out of the water so its up to you to determine which you value with greater regard.

[Rack]

Yeah, I'm beginning to regret the move, but they already drilled a hole in my wall for the satellite...

[chrestomanci]

As far as im concerned cable broadband beats DSL hands down, but Sky's TV blows cable out of the water so its up to you to determine which you value with greater regard.

I am guessing this is the reason Sky have lanuched a broadband service. They will have been loosing loads of costomers to cable who decided that cable TV is good enough and switched for better broadband service. By introducing their own cut price broadband Sky can cut the loss.

Seeing as Rack has only just signed up for Sky TV, he is locked into a 1 year contract, so Sky don't have to worry about loosing him, so they will probably take their time.

[Nemeliza]

As Rack has only just had sky installed i believe he is still within his rights to cancel.

I used to have cable TV and internet back when broadband was first launched in the country, i then moved over to Sky and DSL. This is where i got to try out both flavours of TV and Internet and for my tastes Sky is the better option. I do use the internet a lot, however i am also fond of my TV and seeing as with Sky i can get superior TV packages with a slightly lesser broadband service, that suits me just fine.
For someone who will rarely make use of digital TV and favours connectivity and throughput, i would recommend you go with NTL.

Just so not to confuse anyone, my oppinions on Cable vs DSL is based purely on the fact that DSL utilises an ageing copper based network as opposed to cables fibre and has nothing to do with Sky. Both services i've had have been excellent as i live so close to my telephone exchange but for those who like to download the same file over and over just to see the download speed, cable will bring you to a more powerful climax.

[Rack]

Just had this from Pipex:

Once a Mac code has been issued, your Pipex Broadband will automatically be ceased in 30 days. If you would like to change your mind and stay with Pipex, please e-mail: stay@Pipex.net within 25 days so we can keep your Pipex Broadband service active.

So Pipex are going to cancel unless I contact them, but at least I get the option, that's not what the guy on the phone indicated, sounded like he was pissed off at something.

I've had Sky for a week, and the missus loves it, so looks like I'll keep it - But I only have 2 weeks to cancel and I wont get to try out the broadband before then. Very frustrating. I might ring up and threaten to cancel, see if they can push things along...

[Rack]

OK, just a quick update for those interested, I received my Broadband number on saturday - so within 3 weeks. Not great if I was waiting without broadband, but since I had it already not a huge issue.

Should be hooked up this week, will be interesting to see if there's really a huge speed increase going from 2mb to 10mb (my local max), and what sky are like as an ISP.

[magneticman]

at £5 a month for 8mb i couldn't resist and went for it.

However what really, really annoys me, is that the sky branded netgear router (with sky's own modified firmware) keeps having me to reboot it to refresh the connection. For some reason, once/twice a day, the bandwidth just dies...

and apparently, sky force you to use their router AND they've hidden your actuall username and pasword. If the internet wasn't so fast and cheap I would have complained...

[Nemeliza]

and apparently, sky force you to use their router AND they've hidden your actuall username and pasword. If the internet wasn't so fast and cheap I would have complained...

This is true. There is ways around this but it requires violating some of their terms of service.

[coco]

a good website for unofficial help on sky broadband is http://www.skyuser.co.uk

[Blitzen]

SKY Broadband wont be available until at least April.
I spoke to their Customer Service the other day and thats what i was told.