Top Tech: Sky launches UK's 'fastest broadband' with huge 5Gbps fibre upgrade

Sky says it is now the UK’s ‘fastest major broadband provider’ as it launches a huge upgrade to its network. On Tuesday (July 15), Sky unveiled its new Gigafast+ packages, which are capable of delivering internet speeds of up to 5Gbps.

In comparison, a traditional copper wire connection can only reach speeds up to 80Mbps, while the fastest broadband speeds offered by Virgin Media are roughly 1.1Gbps. Sky’s new ultra-fast speeds are available on two packages, with the 2.5Gbps Full Fibre Gigafast+ plan coming in at £70 per month.

Customers can double those speeds to 5Gbps Full Fibre Gigafast+ for £80. These blazing fast connections are delivered via Sky’s new Gigafast+ hub, which is said to be its ‘most advanced’ router.

READ MORE: Gtech's 'flawless' cordless vacuum bundle is £200 off and makes cleaning 'so much easier'

READ MORE: 'Life changing' 48p-a-day supplement that gets rid of fatigue and leaves tummy 'flatter'

The device leverages WiFi 7 technology, which is capable of delivering speeds twice as fast as WiFi 6, making it ideal for remote working, 4K streaming or gaming. Sky Gigafast+ is powered by Sky’s partnership with CityFibre, which uses the latter’s full fibre network to deliver speeds to 4.5 million premises across the UK.

The catch is that these speeds aren’t available for everyone, with only those on the CityFibre network currently able to benefit. Customers can check their postcode on the Sky website to see if they’re eligible.

Those able to get the faster speeds also receive Sky’s WiFi Max add-on at no extra cost. Usually priced at £4 per month extra, this guarantees WiFi coverage in every room of the house or money back, as well as advanced security, parental controls, device priority, convenient engineer visits and backup Sky Mobile data for unplanned outages.

New customers can also claim up to £100 towards their switching fee if charged by the current provider, with the One Touch Switch scheme meaning Sky will look after the switch on the customer’s behalf. Announcing the new Gigafast+ plans, Sophia Ahmad, Chief Consumer Officer at Sky, said: “We’re proud to be setting a new standard in UK broadband.

“With speeds up to 5Gbps, our new Full Fibre Gigafast+ packages make Sky the UK’s fastest major broadband provider. Combined with our existing full fibre range, we’re offering more choice than ever before. Powered by cutting-edge WiFi 7 technology, these plans deliver smarter, faster, and more reliable connectivity to homes across the country.”

While the unmatched speeds of Sky Gigafast+ are impressive, it comes at a hefty cost. Those seeking a more affordable connection may want to consider Virgin’s Gig1 Fibre Broadband (£34.99) or Plusnet’s Full Fibre 900 (£37.99), both of which can download a feature-length movie in a matter of seconds.

As a brand-new product, Sky’s Gigafast+ is yet to receive any reviews, but customers have been sharing their general experience of the provider on Trustpilot. In a five-star review, one Sky user said: “I have been with Sky for over 11 years.

"I have never had any problems with the broadband, amazing speed they always give me amazing deals, never gone down and never had to have an engineer come out. Would highly recommend.”

Another said: “I have just had Sky broadband updated from wire to FTTP. It was straightforward to order. I was kept fully informed.

"The engineers arrived when they said they would and were very obliging in putting the new cable exactly where I wanted it. The result is a much faster and more reliable internet connection.”

However, this customer had a more mixed experience, saying: “Sky provided generally acceptable broadband service for years. Their customer service staff are also typically useful, personable and clearly try their best. However, they were extremely slow at making fixes or solutions actually happen.”

While this glowing review said: “I am so made up with the outstanding service I have received, clear instructions and advice, outstanding manner, knowledge and excellent customer service skills. I am happy with Sky as my broadband provider. Arranged an engineer quickly and efficiently and was detailed in asking questions and whilst waiting on a reply, was informative and friendly.”