Fibre (FTTC) broadband: Sky vs EE vs Vodafone (to use my own router - Sky's DHCP option 61?)

SouthLondonUser

Does the forum have any opinion / advice / recommendation on Sky vs EE vs Vodafone?

I need a fibre-to-the-cabinet broadband connection in the 50-60 Mbps range. I have narrowed it down to these 3 because I have read that Sky and EE have the least user complaints, and because Vodafone is one of the cheapest; but, to be honest, given how important broadband is when working from home, saving a few pounds a month isn't a priority.
I had also considered Virgin Media, but I have heard very contradicting feedback on it.

I would need to use my own equipment (modem and router); Vodafone and Sky used not to allow that, but I understand all providers are now obliged to allow it.

I also understand that Sky requires a "DHCP option 61"; I don't fully understand the technical details, but I guess I must make sure modem and router support that.

So the questions are:

• Any comments on this DHCP option 61? Is it best to avoid Sky just because of this, or, as long as my equipment supports it, there isn't really any downside?
• Does the provider really make much of a difference? Or does broadband performance depend more on the distance to the cabinet, how crowded the cabinet is, etc, than on whether you are supplied by Sky Vodafone etc?
• Any comment / advice / recommendation?

Thanks!

Neil_Jones

Provider makes no real difference because if you have a line fault that affects your speed it'll affect them all.  Distance isn't as much of an issue on fibre as it was on ADSL, where it would degrade the further you were from the exchange, and was why you had a crap 1Mb connection if you live in the middle of nowhere.

Sky you can use your own equipment but expect to have a fight to get the details to set it up with, as they won't support you if you don't use their hardware.  It used to be possible to get the details out of the router and having had a quick look it seems that's still the case.

SouthLondonUser

So basically what you are saying is that, unless the provider explicitly caps the speed, all the providers on Open Reach should offer a fairly similar experience?

Do you have any experience of using your equipment with Sky or with other providers? Eg is it technically harder to set up / fewer modems/routers support Sky's 61 thingy, etc?

Do you have any experience of Virgin Media vs OpenReach?

Neil_Jones

I'm on Plusnet and I have always used my own equipment, but I have an IT background so I'm confident setting this up myself and if it packs up, I know how to get it going again.  Never been with Sky so I can't comment, but a spot of Googling should tell you what you need to know.

unforeseen

The following page explains what  information Sky use for DHCP opt 61 and its format.
Although it's Draytek, other routers that support it will be similar

draytek.co.uk/support/guides/sky-fibre-setup-guide