Sky+ HD box has stolen my broadband

[admin_exported]

I had Sky+ HD installed last weekend. Ever since, the speed of my ADSL connection has been atrocious.

In the morning my youngster robs me of the TV and I catch up with the news via Sky News on the web. Since the weekend, I've not been able to watch it due to continuous buffering or an error message regarding network problems. Also, accessing web pages takes an eternity and downloads that would have taken hours now have an ETA of days/weeks.

Last night I disconnected the telephone line to the Sky box. Downloads are flying again and, lo and behold, here I am watching Sky News on the laptop while typing this. The Sky box is obviously the problem.

Has anyone else had similar issues? If so, what was Sky's attitude? Did things get resolved?

Thanks

LL

 

[digigriffin]

Check the the phone connector from the sky+HD box uses a ADSL microfilter when it is plugged into your phone socket?

If the sky+HD is plugged directly into the phone socket without a microfilter it will cause issues.
If it is using a microfilter correctly try changing the microfilter as I have had them fail and cause issues.

 

[Andrew Everard]

Certainly sounds like a missing/faulty microfilter to me...

 

[Anonymous]

Simple as that!

The installer had plugged the Sky box line directly into the phone socket followed by the microfilter. I've swapped things around and all seems to be working a treat.

Thanks both

 

[chudleighpaul]

If you have had Sky for more than a year before installing HD there is no requirement for the box to be connected to the phone line. On principle I refuse to have mine connected.

 

[The_Lhc]

I've unplugged my old Sky+ box which is performing multi-room duties (which is strictly against the terms of the contract) because I found it was randomly dialling up and then never hanging up, so nobody could ring us and we couldn't ring out.

Actually it was very peaceful, I might plug it back in again...

 

[PJ1200]

Can someone explain the premise behind having the Sky box connected to the phone line?
We're soon to swallow our pride and go with Sky but the point where the box will be is the furthest point from the phone socket! Surely I don't need the thing connected to the phoneline 24/7?
Is there a way around this if I do have to? I.e. some dongle that will transmit it all wirelessly?? (wishfull thinking!)

 

[tvmog]

It's so you can use the interactive services. If you want to order a Pay per view event or update your details etc, the box basically phones up Sky and tells them.

 

[The_Lhc]

There's a number of reasons, to register Box Office purchases, any Sky Active stuff or setting up Remote Control etc. For multiroom the requirement is to basically to prove that you are using the additional box in the same location as the main box. Apparently some naughty people are paying the extra tenner a month and then putting the extra box in their caravan or some such. Outrageous...

 

[digigriffin]

If you have multiroom you MUST have the phoneline connected.
Failure to have the phoneline connected means that the boxes cannot complete their routine callbacks and you may find that SKY start billing your for two full subscritions if they cannot verify with callback that the boxes are at the same location.
Although they will usually contact you prior to this.
A short disconnection (multiroom) is not a problem but anything running to weeks of no phoneline will be.

 

[The_Lhc]

My second box has been disconnected for months (the main one is always connected), they've only billed me what I'd expect so far, but if they contact me to complain I'll explain what's been happening and see what they say, you never know, I might get a new box out of it... I'm happy to plug it in long enough for it to call back but I can't keep having the phoneline held open like that all the time (it was doing it several times a week).

 

[mikey2008]

I had Sky HD installed as an additional multiroom over a year ago and it was never connected to the phone line (apart from at the install) because of logistics. I've never had any problems from Sky telling me it must be connected.

 

[PJ1200]

Hmm, further investigations suggest that you need it connected for the first 12 months but after that doesn't seem to mention it.
As my phone line is no where near the point where my (potential) sky box is, I looked into a few options and this seems to be a good solution!!
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=97658&C=6354&U=RTskyfaqphoneextn#Faq
thoughts??

 

[mikey2008]

PJ1200:Hmm, further investigations suggest that you need it connected for the first 12 months but after that doesn't seem to mention it.

As my phone line is no where near the point where my (potential) sky box is, I looked into a few options and this seems to be a good solution!!
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=97658&C=6354&U=RTskyfaqphoneextn#Faq
thoughts??

Unless you need the functionality, I'd just leave it unplugged. At least wait until you get a letter from Sky.

 

[chudleighpaul]

I must admit when I first had Sky digital several years ago I unplugged it from the phone line after a couple of months. Never heard any complaint from Sky. I then upgraded to Sky plus which was never connected to phone, then I got Sky HD which has also never been connected to phone.

This way no one can order pay per view or press red button and vote for stupid reality shows. Saves you money!!!!