Broadband News

Sky to boost free broadband to 20Mb

Monday, 26 April 2010

By Garnet Roach garnet@consumerchoices.co.uk

Sky Broadband (www.Sky.com) will soon be offering speeds of up to 20Mb across all of its broadband packages - even its free broadband service.

As of 1 June, all local loop unbundled (LLU) Sky broadband customers will be able to take advantage of the new 20Mb broadband speeds, even those signed up to its free broadband package.

It will also be ditching its 10Mb Everyday broadband package. From the start of June, Sky will only offer two broadband packages - the UK’s only free 20Mb service and one of the country’s only truly unlimited broadband tariffs - which it says can save customers £209 a year the first year, compared to the nearest equivalent package from BT Broadband (www.BT.com).

Sky will cut the cost of its Unlimited package, which comes with speeds of up to 20Mb and unlimited downloads - without a fair usage policy or traffic management, from £10 to just £7.50 a month when taken with Sky Talk. Existing customers will be able to take advantage of the price cut by signing a new 12 month contract with Sky.

The ISP’s newly named Everyday Lite package will be free for all Sky TV customers also taking a Sky Talk package - offering speeds of up to 20Mb and a low 2GB download allowance, which Sky said is perfect “for those interested in basic internet browsing”.

Delia Bushell, director of broadband & talk at Sky, said: “Sky is transforming the broadband marketplace again, by providing Britain’s best value up to 20Mb truly unlimited broadband service and the UK’s only free, up to 20Mb service.

“With these new products, our customers have a very simple choice to make based on how much they use the internet, with peace of mind that they are getting a high quality, reliable service. Unlike some other ISPs, Sky promises not to slow down the speed customers enjoy on its network at peak times, and in terms of usage, Sky’s unlimited service really means unlimited.”

Broadband customers not taking a Sky Talk package will pay an additional £5 a month for their broadband. However, you automatically get Sky Talk Freetime, which comes with inclusive evening and weekend landline calls, when you take Sky line rental at £11 a month. You can also add Sky Talk Unlimited, which gives you anytime landline calls, for £5 a month.

Michael Phillips, product director at Broadbandchoices.co.uk, said: “When Sky’s upgrade goes live in June, its free broadband customers will get the fastest free package on the market - though you will have to keep an eye on your downloads to make sure you don’t exceed your low 2GB allowance.

“And at just £7.50 a month, its Unlimited package will be offering truly great value with superfast download speeds and no need to ever worry about your downloads.

“Everyday Lite customers should install our free Broadband Download Monitor to make sure they never go over their download limit,” he advised.

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