Sky Full Fibre 500 offers an average download speed of 500Mbps, making it suitable for households that regularly download games, stream in 4K and work from home. There is plenty of bandwidth for several people to use demanding services at the same time.
The Openreach version’s average upload speed is considerably lower, at 60Mbps. Where Sky offers the package through CityFibre, the average upload speed rises to 500Mbps. Also compare Gigafast before signing up: its current offer is close in cost and provides faster downloads.
Plan details
| Feature | Sky Full Fibre 500 |
|---|---|
| Average download speed / average upload speed | Openreach: 500Mbps / 60Mbps; CityFibre: 500Mbps / 500Mbps where available |
| Connection type | Full fibre through the Openreach or CityFibre network |
| Supplied equipment | Sky hub included; the model is confirmed when ordering |
| Speed protection | Sky Speed Guarantee |
| Price changes | Monthly charges can rise during the minimum term; current terms add £5 a month after it ends |
| Installation and transfer | Fibre installation if needed, with Sky handling the switch from your current provider |
| Additional options | WiFi Max, Sky Talk calling packages and Sky Stream TV bundles |
Sky’s Speed Guarantee gives you the right to leave without early termination charges if the download speed to your hub stays below your guaranteed minimum for three consecutive days, subject to its terms.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Cuts the wait for large games and updates compared with Sky’s slower packages. | Gigafast’s closely priced offer makes 500Mbps less attractive for frequent downloaders. |
| Plenty of bandwidth for several 4K streams alongside a large download. | Faster than necessary for homes mainly browsing and watching one or two streams. |
| CityFibre’s fast uploads save considerable time when sending large folders. | Openreach customers have much longer waits for the same uploads. |
What you can do with 500Mbps speeds
Large downloads make the biggest difference to how much bandwidth a household needs. Full Fibre 500 lets you download a game or video project while other people watch TV and make calls.
| Activity | What the connection can support |
|---|---|
| Netflix in 4K | Four streams at Netflix’s recommended 15Mbps each use 60Mbps of download bandwidth, leaving 440Mbps. |
| Cloud gaming | Three supported GeForce NOW 4K/120fps sessions at 45Mbps each use 135Mbps, leaving 365Mbps of download bandwidth. |
| Sending a 5GB folder | About 11 minutes 7 seconds at 60Mbps, compared with 1 minute 20 seconds at 500Mbps. |
| Downloading a 20GB video project | About 5 minutes 20 seconds at 500Mbps. |
The streaming examples assume suitable devices and subscriptions. File-transfer calculations use decimal gigabytes and a constant speed; wireless reception, other traffic and the service handling the transfer affect actual times.
Ofcom’s March 2023 tests recorded a median download speed of 483.9Mbps for Sky’s 500Mbps service. That historical result was close to the advertised speed, although it does not establish what a new connection will deliver today.
Sky Broadband Router
Full Fibre 500 comes with a compatible Sky hub. Check the model confirmed with your order, especially when renewing an existing Sky package.
The white Max Hub supports Wi-Fi 6, while the older black Broadband Hub uses Wi-Fi 5. Both have Gigabit Ethernet ports, so a wired connection can handle the full 500Mbps. For a console or work computer near the hub, Ethernet avoids the interference and weaker signal that can reduce wireless performance. Our Sky router guide covers the equipment in more detail.
Adding WiFi Max provides a 25Mbps room-speed guarantee on this package, with up to three Max Pods supplied where needed. It can improve coverage in rooms with a poor signal, but does not guarantee 500Mbps throughout the home. The WiFi Max guide explains the coverage conditions.
Home phone and Sky TV
Sky Talk Pay As You Talk comes with standard broadband offers, with calls charged separately. Regular landline users can add an inclusive calling package. The phone connects through the hub using Internet Calls and needs working broadband and power.
Full Fibre 500 can be bundled with Sky Stream’s Essential TV or Ultimate TV packages. Essential TV includes Netflix Standard with Ads. Ultimate TV also includes Disney+ Standard with Ads, HBO Max Basic with Ads and Hayu alongside Sky entertainment.
There is enough bandwidth for several TVs, but the included streaming subscriptions do not all provide 4K. Check the viewing quality and screen limit of each subscription before paying for an upgrade.
Sky Full Fibre 500 for gaming
For households installing games regularly, 500Mbps reduces the wait considerably. A 100GB download takes about 27 minutes at the full speed, compared with roughly 89 minutes on Sky Full Fibre 150.
| Download size | Calculated time at 500Mbps |
|---|---|
| 25GB update | 6 minutes 40 seconds |
| 100GB game | 26 minutes 40 seconds |
| 150GB game | 40 minutes |
Installation and unpacking take additional time. A busy game server can also prevent a download from reaching the full connection speed.
Playing an installed multiplayer game does not require 500Mbps. Latency matters more to responsiveness. Ofcom’s March 2023 measurements recorded median latency of 6.6ms for Sky’s 500Mbps service, against 12.5ms for Virgin Media’s 516Mbps cable service. These figures describe the test connections, rather than the ping you will receive in every game.
Cloud gaming is more demanding because the game’s video is streamed to your device. NVIDIA recommends 45Mbps for supported GeForce NOW 4K/120fps play and requires latency below 80ms to its data centre. Full Fibre 500 has ample bandwidth for several players, but a reliable connection to the service remains essential.
Sky Full Fibre 500 for streaming
Watching 4K TV alone is not a reason to buy 500Mbps. Netflix recommends 15Mbps per 4K stream, while NOW recommends 30Mbps per device for Ultra HD with Ultra Boost.
The extra bandwidth is useful when someone downloads a large file during viewing. Two NOW Ultra HD streams use 60Mbps. A game download limited to 400Mbps brings the combined demand to 460Mbps, leaving 40Mbps for other activities. At that download speed, a 100GB game takes about 33 minutes 20 seconds.
Netflix 4K requires Premium, which allows four simultaneous streams. NOW Ultra Boost supports up to three. The broadband connection has enough bandwidth for these examples; the subscription and compatible equipment determine whether you can watch in Ultra HD.
Is Sky Full Fibre 500 any good?
Full Fibre 500 is worth considering if large downloads regularly hold up gaming or work. It comfortably handles several streams and calls, with enough bandwidth left for other people’s downloads.
CityFibre customers also get much faster uploads than those using Openreach. That makes this version particularly useful for video work and large cloud backups. Openreach’s 60Mbps average upload speed is sufficient for ordinary work calls, but sending large folders takes considerably longer.
Value depends on the difference between the current packages. Gigafast is worth comparing for frequent game downloads; Sky’s slower plans are sufficient for households mainly streaming and browsing. Check the latest Sky broadband deals across the range before choosing.
Alternatives to consider
These five alternatives from four providers offer similar download speeds. Upload performance and the included equipment are the main differences.
| Alternative | Average download speed / average upload speed | Main reason to compare |
|---|---|---|
| BT Full Fibre 500 | 500Mbps / 73Mbps | Slightly faster uploads than Sky’s Openreach package |
| Vodafone Full Fibre 500 | Openreach: 500Mbps / 68Mbps; CityFibre or Community Fibre: 500Mbps / 500Mbps | Compare the available network and overall contract cost |
| Vodafone Pro 3 Full Fibre 500 | Openreach: 500Mbps / 68Mbps; CityFibre or Community Fibre: 500Mbps / 500Mbps | Includes a Wi-Fi 7 router, booster and automatic 4G backup |
| Virgin Media M500 | 516Mbps / 52Mbps on the standard package | Similar download speed through Virgin Media’s own network |
| Community Fibre 500Mbps | 500Mbps / 500Mbps | Much faster uploads than Sky’s Openreach version where available |
If Sky already offers you 500Mbps through CityFibre, Community Fibre 500Mbps does not provide an upload-speed advantage. Compare the contract, equipment and total cost instead.
Sky Full Fibre 500 FAQs
Is Full Fibre 500 replacing Ultrafast Plus?
Full Fibre 500 is the current name for Sky’s 500Mbps package. Sky previously offered its 500Mbps service as Ultrafast Plus. An existing customer’s price and contract remain those agreed with Sky until changed.
Why do some Sky Full Fibre 500 deals have faster uploads?
Sky uses two networks for this package. The average upload speed is 60Mbps on Openreach and 500Mbps on CityFibre. Your address determines which version Sky offers.
Does a Max Hub include the WiFi Max subscription?
No. Receiving the router does not automatically include WiFi Max’s additional features or room-speed guarantee. The subscription must be included in your order. Pods are supplied where needed under that service.
Is an engineer needed to upgrade an existing full fibre connection to 500Mbps?
A speed upgrade using a suitable existing fibre connection can usually be activated remotely. A new fibre installation or change of network can require an engineer. Sky confirms the arrangements when you order.
How much time does Gigafast save on a large game download?
At its advertised 900Mbps average download speed on Openreach, Gigafast downloads 100GB in about 14 minutes 49 seconds. Full Fibre 500 takes 26 minutes 40 seconds. The calculated saving is almost 12 minutes, before allowing for other traffic and server limits.