Sky Connect Broadband - Are you being slowed down?

[Birks]

Ah OK, my mistake, how long ago was it you left?

[IWasNotTheEnemy]

16 months ago-ish

[Faust]

Hm, I work for Sky in a tech role, and AFAIK the throttling for Connect users comes from BT, so switching ISP wouldn't help as long as you are going through their equipment at the exchange. Also note that they (BT) really don't care about if you can use it or not, if you go past their limit they'll throttle you right down to something that won't even load web pages half the time if that's what it takes just to get you back in line.

Long thread so not sure if this has been said.

Nothing whatsoever to do with BT this is all Sky's baby so stop reading off the Murdoch script. Sky purchase the bandwidth from BT and the connection is controlled by Sky. Sky are not purchasing enough bandwidth for the amount of Connect customers they have so throttle those customers to death in order to share out the meagre bandwidth. You may be able to pull the wool over Cameron and Hunt's eyes but please don't try it with us.

[Faust]

Technically it is BT who do the throttling as it is their network, but this is only because Sky will not pay them for more bandwidth.

Technically it's not - period.

[reddwarfcrew]

Guys, please remember to be respectful to other posters and their opinions.

[Faust]

Guys, please remember to be respectful to other posters and their opinions.

I'm no fan of BT believe me but the post blaming BT for Sky Connect issues is just so wrong on every level that sometimes you just can't let these things go unchallenged. Apologies if I've stepped on toes though.

[Isitme]

Technically it's not - period.

Technically it is, BT put the throttle on the line, Sky can't do this as they have no technical control over the BT network. Sky dictate the speed using financial restraints, not technical ones.
There has been a very bad relationship between Sky and BT right from the start. I think this stems from Sky giving an overgenerous download limit compared with BT and their other resellers. Now Sky have so many on Connect that it has come back to bite them. In the early days of Connect there was no problem, I know as I was on it, however they have continued to sign up users to such an extent that it is not economic.
I think Sky's only solution would be to reduce the download allowance to a more economic one. If they modelled their package on Plusnet's plans, things would be much better for the average user. For them to continue advertising this product as 'fast' broadband is a disgrace.
Sky Broadband Connect - Wireless Broadband and Offers - Buy Online

[Undecided Adrian]

I can't see how 40 gig is overgenerous compared to BT.

BT option 1 is only 10 gig and that is cheaper than connect at £16.40 per month.

BT option 2 is the same as connect at 40 gig and that is £3 per month more expensive than connect.

If Sky reduce the bandwidth per customer then BT becomes more attractive price wise, although Sky may reduce connect numbers they would at least take some of the strain off their rented centrals.

The whole mess that is connect comes directly from news corp, they initially gave Sky a target of so many customers with the rest of the company subsidising that and connect was pushed heavily.

Suddenly when James Murdoch took the helm of News Corp focus was suddenly switched from numbers to profitability.

These short term goals with little or no long term strategic thinking has hurt the connect package and Sky's reputation.

No matter how good the LLU product is (and that has suffered signs of contention recently) the connect product is terrible and that can only hurt the Sky brand.

[Isitme]

BT option 1 is only 10 gig and that is cheaper than connect at £16.40 per month.

Exactly, how can Sky give 300% more for 60p and be financially viable? They also seem to have little control over the amount that is downloaded. There is a user posting now that says he has downloaded 300Gb over the last few weeks, he is probably one of many. No wonder they are in a mess

[steve16751]

Faust
Hi were you not told that. I think the exact words were. Until Sky move in to your exchange.

Also you were more than likely told that. The connect package is a stop gap before your exchange is Sky LLU Unbundled

Technically it is Bt as the connect package is a Bt Re-badged product and Throttled by Bt`s RAMBo Rate Adaptive Management Box. I know this as Bt told Sky that my max speed was 225kbps. In reality I know show 4019kbps. That is why the thread http://www.skyuser.co.uk/forum/sky-b...test-blog.html was started. So I had proof of what was happening. Also If it was Sky doing the throttling it would be DLM Dynamic Line Management. The only thing Sky can do is try to manage the package. As Isitme says

There is a user posting now that says he has downloaded 300Gb over the last few weeks, he is probably one of many.

I have read the thread and that is where the problems are. You don`t need many connect Customers doing that to cause issues with the connect package.