Sky Broadband is preparing to introduce a new range of WiFi Max devices in May 2025. This update will bring an upgraded Sky Max Hub router and new Sky Max Pod WiFi extenders, offering better support for faster fibre connections. The timing coincides with Sky’s wider expansion into full fibre broadband services delivered over CityFibre’s network.
Sky’s New WiFi Max Hardware
Several Sky Broadband customers have been informed that new WiFi Max hardware will be available from next month. The refreshed Sky Max Hub and accompanying WiFi Pods are designed to work with Sky’s latest fibre packages, including those running over CityFibre’s infrastructure.
Until now, the existing Sky Max Hub has served most FTTP and FTTC users well, but it was never optimised for multi-gigabit speeds. With full fibre providers now pushing services beyond 1Gbps, a hardware refresh was expected.
The new Max Hub is intended to future-proof customer setups, ensuring that Sky can support faster fibre speeds without bottlenecks. WiFi Pods will continue to offer mesh-style wireless coverage throughout the home, helping eliminate dead zones.
Sky has not yet confirmed detailed specifications for the new Max Hub, but it is expected to support Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 6E standards, multi-gigabit WAN ports, and improved internal antennas for better wireless performance.
At launch, the new hardware is likely to be bundled with specific fibre packages, rather than replacing existing routers across the board. Customers on Openreach-based FTTP lines will also have access to the new hardware, though it’s not clear whether FTTC or G.fast users will be eligible.
Sky Broadband Packages Compared
At present, Sky offers several broadband packages depending on network availability:
- Sky Broadband Superfast 35: FTTC connection, averaging 36Mbps download.
- Sky Broadband Superfast: FTTC, averaging 61Mbps download.
- Sky Broadband Ultrafast: FTTP (Openreach) where available, averaging 145Mbps download.
- Sky Broadband Ultrafast Plus: FTTP, averaging 500Mbps download speeds.
- Sky Broadband Gigafast: FTTP, averaging 900Mbps download.
Sky typically supplies the Sky Broadband Hub or the Sky Max Hub with its faster packages. The Sky Broadband Hub supports Wi-Fi 5 and gigabit Ethernet, which is enough for most current users but can be a limiting factor as speeds rise.
The Sky Max Hub already brought improvements like Wi-Fi 6 and support for Sky’s WiFi Guarantee, offering 25Mbps speeds in every room. However, it was not built for the 1.8Gbps and 2.5Gbps tiers that CityFibre and Openreach can now technically deliver wholesale.
Sky’s CityFibre-Based FTTP Rollout
Sky’s partnership with CityFibre opens the door to much broader full fibre access, especially outside Openreach’s network footprint. CityFibre’s network supports symmetrical speeds (equal download and upload), with download speeds up to 2.5Gbps available in some areas.
Sky is expected to begin customer trials for CityFibre-powered packages in May 2025, with wider availability rolling out later in the year. It’s likely that these packages will come with the new WiFi Max hardware to ensure users can fully benefit from higher speeds.
Sky has not confirmed whether it will immediately offer packages faster than 1Gbps at launch. However, both CityFibre and Openreach networks can technically support much faster tiers if Sky chooses to introduce them.
How Sky’s New WiFi Max Hardware Compares to Rivals
BT offers the Smart Hub 2, which supports Wi-Fi 5 and gigabit Ethernet, but is starting to look outdated as speeds increase. EE and Plusnet (BT Group brands) largely offer similar hardware, though EE recently introduced newer Wi-Fi 6E routers for its premium fibre packages.
Virgin Media’s latest Hub 5 includes Wi-Fi 6 support, multi-gigabit Ethernet, and is built for their multi-gigabit cable broadband packages. However, Virgin’s network still relies on DOCSIS 3.1 technology, rather than full fibre to the premises, for most customers.
TalkTalk’s Amazon eero partnership provides Wi-Fi 6 mesh systems with its full fibre packages, offering good whole-home coverage, although some customers have pointed out the lack of advanced settings compared to traditional routers.
If Sky’s new WiFi Max Hub does deliver Wi-Fi 6E and multi-gigabit ports, it would position Sky competitively alongside or even ahead of these providers, especially for households preparing for broadband services beyond 1Gbps.
What Customers Should Expect
Customers switching to Sky’s full fibre packages, whether via Openreach or CityFibre, should check if their current equipment is future-proof. Older hubs may struggle to keep up with the speeds full fibre enables, especially for heavy streaming, gaming, and smart home setups.
Sky has said that the existing Sky Hub and Sky Max Hub will continue to be available for certain packages. This suggests the new WiFi Max hardware may initially be an optional upgrade or bundled only with specific ultrafast and gigabit packages.
Sky is expected to share full details, including pricing and availability, shortly before the new CityFibre-powered packages go live.
For customers keen to get the most out of their fibre connection, especially in larger households with lots of connected devices, the new Sky WiFi Max system could make a noticeable difference.
Final Thoughts
Sky’s move to refresh its hardware is a practical step as the UK broadband market shifts firmly toward full fibre. With faster speeds becoming available from both Openreach and CityFibre networks, providers need to ensure their routers and wireless solutions can keep up.
The launch of the new WiFi Max hardware, paired with broader CityFibre access, could make Sky Broadband a stronger contender for customers seeking gigabit-capable home internet — assuming pricing and installation are competitive.
More details should emerge closer to launch, but for now, customers considering an upgrade to full fibre should stay alert for package updates and check what hardware will be included.