Sky's New Broadband Start Speeds

[NewsreadeR]

Unconfirmed.

As of the 22nd April, Sky has started using new Broadband start speeds.

Base starts at 1Mb/256k
Mid starts at 3Mb/256k
Max starts at 4Mb/512k

DLM will then speed up the lines.

This is for all new subscribers and subscribers who change product.

[Lajos]

Thats interesting. How about the old subscribers? It will be some increase in speed?

[reddwarfcrew]

Interesting use of the word 'Starts at', what is the top limit or is that unchanged?

Is this part of the mailing that went out recently about faster speeds?

[NewsreadeR]

Not heard anything about the top limits. Just what I received by PM this morning, although I didn't read it until this afternoon.

I would assume that what this means, is that when you are connected to Sky Broadband, on whatever package, your speed will then start off at the relevant introductory speed.

Over time, DLM will then increase your speed up as it senses / detects that your line can handle the higher speeds, up to the advertised speeds.

[big bob]

I was reconnected on 22nd April, Mid package and have been connected at 5mb/415kb every time.

I am thinking this may be contributing to my connection dropping out all the time.

[MrStabby]

You were connected on the 22nd but your line would have been configured when the order was placed (10 days or so beforehand).
This change is only for orders placed on or after the 22nd.

[NATO]

Iiiiinteresting.... I'm due to be connected tomorrow and when I placed the order I was told that the estimated speed of my line would be 4.0Mbps which I found rather surprising because I got around 6.0+Mbps at my old house (same distance to the same exchange). I decided to go with Max anyway, rather than the Mid package because of the unlimited downloads as well as my suspicion that 4.0Mbps seemed a bit low.

I think Sky need to inform their sales staff and update their online page to state that 4.0Mbps is an initial speed which may increase as I'm sure people won't bother with Max and simply select the Mid package if they aren't seeing an estimated speed anywhere near the 16Mbps maximum (I almost did).

[Saturday]

My guess is that Sky have decided that they'll get less grief if they start a connection slow then, maybe, increase it if line conditions are good.

Compare that to O2 who start the connection at the maximum sync possible even if that's higher than the package bought.

Sky seem to give the impression that you should be grateful for what you get and keep you in the dark whereas O2 worry a lot if the speed isn't up to what is expected and pro actively contact the customer.