One of the best things about Sky broadband is that it has one of the best and most reliable Wi-Fi ranges in the United Kingdom. However, so-called ‘black spots’ can and do still occur. Another common issue customers face is accessing their Wi-Fi outside their property, such as on the front porch or in the garden. If you are experiencing any of these issues, then a Sky Booster could help.
What is a Sky Booster?
The Sky Booster, otherwise known as the Sky Wireless Booster, increases and improves your existing broadband router’s signal. Sold and supplied by Sky for Sky broadband and Sky Q customers, the Booster is a small white plastic box. It connects to your router through WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup).
Here’s what the Sky Booster (for standard broadband) looks like:
And here’s what the Sky Booster (for Sky Q) looks like:
As you can see in the images published above, the standard broadband Booster is a fair bit chunkier than the Sky Q Booster. Both Booster’s are white, though.
How does the Sky Booster work?
The Sky Booster is effectively an amplifier. In the most basic sense, it has a better antenna that can provide a Wi-Fi signal in areas that a regular router can not. The effect of this better antenna is simple: you get improved Wi-Fi signal in black spots.
Related: Sky Broadband History, Facts and Services
Contrary to popular belief, however, the Sky Booster does not improve the broadband speed in your home. It simply makes the Wi-Fi signal more accessible. It is important not to confuse improved signal strength with improved speed, because the two do not go hand-in-hand here.
Set up and ease of use
Setting up a Sky Booster is very simple.
All you have to do is plug your Booster in and press and hold the WPS button on your Booster for 2 seconds. Then, simply go to your broadband router and press and hold the WPS button on that for 2 seconds. The two devices will communicate with one another and connect. If the connection is successful, the lights on the Booster will turn green for a few seconds afterwards. If you experience any issues, here’s the official Sky Booster set up guide.
Limitations and drawbacks
Given that a Sky Booster could give you a Wi-Fi signal in your basement, attic or another un-served area of your home, this little device is worth a punt. However, one limitation to keep in mind is that you can only use the Sky Q Booster in one black spot of your home. The Booster should also be placed in the area of your home where your signal is poor. The obvious downside to this is that you may not have a power outlet in the area of your home where there is a black spot.
