Broadband speed explained

Your broadband speed affects how quickly information is passed to and from your computer. To do most of the things people do online everyday like browsing, downloading music tracks, HD shows and photos, or streaming video services like Sky Go, you need a reliable and consistent broadband connection and internet speed.

We understand that there may be a small number of Sky Broadband customers who use the internet to regularly download lots of big files and who may be happy to pay extra for this. To make sure we have the most comprehensive range of broadband products possible, we're trialling fibre optic broadband. Find out more about fibre broadband from Sky

The term 'Broadband speed' is used in different ways

Throughput speed

This is the actual download speed that you experience, and can be affected by factors like the layout of your home and the number of devices using your wireless connection.

It can also be affected by external factors like the number of broadband subscribers sharing the network.
Access line speed

This is the maximum speed of the data connection between your broadband router and the telephone exchange.

This speed is shown when you use the broadband checker to test your line for Sky Broadband availability. The Throughput Speed that you get when using your broadband connection will be lower than your Access Line Speed.

For more information about all aspects of broadband speed and the results of any broadband speed test, see the Sky Broadband speed glossary

Broadband speeds affect how fast you can download

Take a look at how long it might take to download music or movies, based on different broadband speeds.

Type of file	1 album (10x songs)	200 photos	1 TV show via Sky Anytime+	1 movie via Sky Anytime+
	Based on MP3 song size of 5Mb per file	Based on photo size of 1Mb per file	Based on TV show size of 300Mb per episode	Based on movie size of 1,000Mb per movie
Download Speed	Estimated time to download (minutes)
5Mb speed	6 mins	8 mins	12 mins	40 mins
10Mb speed	3 mins	4 mins	6 mins	20 mins
15Mb speed	2.25 mins	3 mins	4.5 mins	15 mins

Times shown above are estimates and are not a prediction of actual speed.

See our broadband options

Ideal for email, shopping and
occasional internet usage.
- 2GB monthly usage
- We'll never slow your Everyday Lite broadband down, even at peak times
- Ready for Sky Anytime+ TV on demand
When you take a Sky TV package (from £20 a month)
with Sky Talk & Line Rental (£12.25 a month)
Add to Basket
Enjoy the peace of mind of truly unlimited broadband with no usage caps.
- Unlimited monthly usage
- We'll never slow your Unlimited broadband down, even at peak times
- Recommended for Sky Anytime+ TV on demand -
  enjoy your huge library of TV on demand at no extra monthly cost*
When you take a Sky TV package (from £20 a month)
with Sky Talk & Line Rental (£12.25 a month)
Add to Basket

Sky network areas only. Sky Broadband Connect at £17 a month is available to customers outside our network area (£30 set-up cost for existing Sky TV customers). Connect has a monthly usage cap of 40GB and is subject to a Traffic Management Policy. Sky Line Rental payable (£12.25 per month). 12 month minimum subscriptions apply.

^New customer Marks and Spencer voucher offer: Join Sky TV online and we'll send you a £50 M&S voucher. One voucher per household and only available when you join online. Vouchers sent via special delivery within 45 days of activating your viewing. Packages from £20 a month by Direct Debit. Minimum 12 month subscriptions apply.

Check availability for Sky Broadband & Talk

Check which Sky Broadband & Talk options are available to you and find out the approximate download speed your phone-line should support.
Check my line
If you are currently a cable customer or don't have an active, BT compatible phone line, check whether you can get a new phone line from Sky.
Check my address
Switching is easier than you think

Order Sky Broadband in one simple process - even if you are a Virgin Media or TalkTalk customer or don't have an active BT compatible line.
Find out more

Here's the legal bit

*Available programming will depend on your Sky TV/HD subscription. Most Sky Anytime+ content is SD. To watch content from Sky Movies or Sky Sports you must take Sky Movies 1&2 or Sky Sports 1&2 packs. Customers with Sky+HD box without the HD Pack will only be able to access limited content from the Showcase section of Sky Anytime+. Sky Broadband usage limits apply. With Broadband Everyday Lite you can typically access three 30 minute shows a month. Find out more.

Offers

Free Sky+ box offer: Sky+ box free with free standard set-up for new customers joining Sky TV online. One free box per household. This is a new customer offer.

**£200 saving when switching from BT: based on standard monthly prices over 12 months for BT customers with Broadband Option 3 (£26.80), Unlimited Evening and Weekend Plan (£3.15) and BT line rental (£14.60) switching to Sky Broadband Unlimited (£7.50 with Sky Talk and Sky TV (or £10 with Sky Talk & line rental), Sky Talk Freetime (£0) and Sky Talk Line Rental (£12.25). BT Broadband Option 3 includes BT Home Hub (BT Vision ready) & Hub phone, advanced McAfee security, unlimited WiFi minutes a month, evening and weekend VOIP calls and 5GB online storage at no extra charge. Inclusive minutes for BT’s calling plans include calls to 0870 and 0845 numbers (subject to fair use policy). McAfee security available free for 12 months with Sky, £3 a month thereafter unless cancelled by the customer. Free security not available for MAC users with BT. Sky & BT offer discounted line rental for up front annual payment. Other BT offers may apply. See bt.com for details.

Sky Broadband

Sky Broadband in Sky Network Area: Existing customer set-up £60 for Everyday Lite or free for Unlimited. Monthly usage caps: Everyday Lite - 2GB. Maximum upload speed: Everyday Lite and Unlimited –1.3Mb.

Sky Broadband outside Network area: Connect at £17pm. Existing customer set-up £30. Monthly usage caps: Connect – 40GB & subject to Network Management Policy. Maximum upload speed: Connect – 448Kb.

Sky Broadband general: See sky.com for more details and our Usage Policies. MAC users receive 12 months free McAfee VirusScan worth £19.99. McAfee Free Trial: Everyday Lite-3 months, Unlimited-12 months, then £3 pm unless you contact us to unsubscribe.

30 day Broadband and Talk Satisfaction Guarantee: Available within the first 30 days of all your services being activated. Refund applies to subscription charges only (not set-up charges or non-inclusive call charges) and is pro-rated. Statutory rights are not affected. Not applicable if you change your package

#Sky Talk

#UK calls of up to an hour to 01, 02, 03 & 0870 numbers only (excludes Channel Islands, indirect access & dial-up internet numbers). Unlimited international geographic landline calls to 20 countries, see sky.com/skytalk for details. Acceptable Use Policy applies.

Sky Talk: Sky Talk only available to customers paying by Direct Debit/continuous credit card mandate. Compatible line required otherwise connection charge from £39 may apply. Codes of Practice for sales and marketing and premium rate/NTS services can be found at sky.com/skytalk

General

Subject to status. Upfront payment may be required.12 month minimum subscriptions. Non-standard set-up may cost extra. Boxes must be connected to a fixed telephone line and prices may vary if you live in a flat. Sky+ functionality requires two satellite feeds. You must get any consents required (e.g. landlord's). Prices for Direct Debit payments only. Continuous debit/credit card mandate costs 50p pm. UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man residential customers only. These offers are not available with any other offers.] Further terms apply. Calls to Sky cost 5.1p per minute (plus 13.1p connection fee) for BT customers. Calls from other providers may vary. Correct at 17 February 2012.

Price Freeze: Price freeze applies to your current Sky monthly subscription prices until 31 August 2012 excluding offers, call rates, administrative charges, VAT changes and if you change your package.

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