Sky Broadband

Sol00

Did anyone else get the free router expecting it to include a wireless adapter so you can actually use it? I was a bit shocked when I opened the box and found a very short ethernet cable instead. :eek:

chivers1977

No, the website tells you what you are going to get.

Sol00

That's a bit silly is it not? This wasn't for me btw, it was my mum and she didn't have internet access at the time to research it, furthermore, she wouldn't have understood it.

She did phone Sky to order it, so this should have been said over the phone.

Inactive

Surely she could use the ethernet cable, or am I missing something?

weegie.geek

It's hard to buy a computer these days without wireless built in, so for the majority of customers it'd be a pointless added expense, I guess.

A USB adapter is only a tenner, so it's better for the odd customer here and there who needs it to have to buy it, rather than the cost being increased for everyone, who mostly won't need it.

And yeah, she could just connect via ethernet for the moment, assuming she has ethernet on her laptop, and assuming the cable is long enough to allow her to use the laptop sensibly.

Sol00

Inactive wrote: »

Surely she could use the ethernet cable, or am I missing something?

You're missing something, because the distance between the computer and phone line is to far for the short cable to reach. :rolleyes:

Sol00

Thanks Weegie. Sky said that because the modem is made specifically for them, she would have to buy a Sky adater which is £25. Do you think that's true, or could we use any type?

penrhyn

Any wireless adapter should do, or just buy a longer Ethernet cable. If I was doing it I'd probably use a PCI wireless card so as not to take up a USB port.

lauraocal

Yes you can use any wireless adapter you wish.
The only reason Sky suggest you buy theirs is because they will give you a years warrenty on it and offer full support.
Although the level of support for a non-sky wireless adapter is no different except for the 1 year warrenty.
Use any wireless adapter you wish, although one that is compatible with WPA/PSK security is advisable unless some one with knowledge of how to set the WEP security is able to help you.
Sky's technical support will assist with these settings however if your mother needed assistance.

Sol00

Thanks guys I'll look into it.

devizes18193

lauraocal wrote: »

Yes you can use any wireless adapter you wish.
The only reason Sky suggest you buy theirs is because they will give you a years warrenty on it and offer full support.
Although the level of support for a non-sky wireless adapter is no different except for the 1 year warrenty.
Use any wireless adapter you wish, although one that is compatible with WPA/PSK security is advisable unless some one with knowledge of how to set the WEP security is able to help you.
Sky's technical support will assist with these settings however if your mother needed assistance.

I can confirm this all my 3 pc's are wireless withmy own adaptor's work fine with a sky netgear router