NOW Broadband Review 2026
NOW is worth checking when its starting price and any reward reduce the total contract cost. Full Fibre 100 provides enough capacity for many homes, while Full Fibre 300 is more useful for several busy users. The compromises are a Wi-Fi 5 standard router, no gigabit package and prices that may change during the contract.
Find deals available at your home
Latest NOW Broadband Deals
These are the three full fibre packages displayed by NOW for new orders. Availability, the personal speed estimate and the final charges depend on the address.
| Plan | Average speed | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Full Fibre 75 24 months |
75Mbps download 16Mbps upload |
£23 a month Free setup No Gift See deal |
| Full Fibre 100 24 months |
100Mbps download 18Mbps upload |
£25 a month Free setup No Gift See deal |
| Full Fibre 300 24 months |
300Mbps download 40Mbps upload |
£28 a month Free setup No Gift See deal |
Prices may change during the contract.
NOW plan selector
Select the connection, busiest use and most important extra for the home.
NOW broadband at a glance
NOW Broadband now works differently from the older service many customers will remember. New orders are for NOW Broadband Powered by Sky: NOW displays the packages, but Sky supplies the connection, completes the order and provides account support.
| Package | Average download/upload speed | Suitable use |
|---|---|---|
| NOW Superfast Address-dependent |
67/16Mbps | Everyday use where a comparison result does not offer full fibre |
| Full Fibre 75 | 75/16Mbps | Smaller homes, HD streaming and ordinary home working |
| Full Fibre 100 | 100/18Mbps | Several users, video calls and simultaneous streaming |
| Full Fibre 300 | 300/40Mbps | Busy homes, several 4K streams and frequent large downloads |
Uses the Openreach network, with selected availability through CityFibre as Sky expands its full fibre coverage.
75Mbps, 100Mbps or 300Mbps on the main full fibre packages.
Current packages have a 24-month minimum term.
The standard Sky Broadband Hub uses dual-band Wi-Fi 5.
Sky WiFi Max adds a Wi-Fi 6 hub, app controls and support for weak rooms.
The range stops at 300Mbps and prices may change during the minimum term.
Installation
A home with a compatible optical network terminal may be offered a self-installation. The customer connects the Sky Broadband Hub to the terminal with the supplied Ethernet cable and waits for the confirmed activation date.
A new connection normally needs an engineer. The work can include an external connection point, a fibre cable entering the home and an optical terminal installed near a power socket. The exact process differs between Openreach and CityFibre addresses. Obtain a landlord’s consent before the appointment if the installation requires alterations.
The hub and optical terminal both need mains power. Turning off either device disconnects the broadband and can also stop Internet Calls.
Sky Broadband Hub and WiFi Max
New NOW customers receive Sky equipment rather than the older NOW Hub 2. The standard Sky Broadband Hub is adequate for the available speeds, but Wi-Fi 5 is now behind the Wi-Fi 6 routers included by several competing providers.
| Feature | Sky Broadband Hub | Sky Max Hub |
|---|---|---|
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 5 Dual-band |
Wi-Fi 6 Dual-band |
| Access | Included with the broadband package | Supplied with the separate WiFi Max service |
| Wi-Fi promise | 3Mbps in eligible rooms under the standard promise | 10Mbps with 75/100 25Mbps with 300 |
| Coverage help | Money-back route; no mesh pod included as standard | Up to three Sky Max Pods when checks confirm they are needed |
| Suitable use | Smaller homes with straightforward Wi-Fi needs | Larger homes, weak rooms and newer Wi-Fi 6 devices |
The room-speed promises have conditions. Sky first checks the hub position and home setup, and the guarantee does not cover gardens, sheds or detached external rooms. Equipment supplied for WiFi Max remains on loan.
The average package speed describes the connection reaching the hub. A phone, laptop or television can receive less over Wi-Fi because of walls, distance, interference, router position and the wireless hardware inside the device.
Existing customers with a NOW Hub 2
Legacy NOW hubs no longer receive service or security updates. NOW advises affected customers to change the hub’s administrator password if they keep it. Moving to NOW Powered by Sky requires a new contract and a current Sky hub. This issue does not apply to the router supplied with a new Powered by Sky order.
Improving Wi-Fi coverage
- Keep the hub upright, uncovered and away from large metal objects.
- Use Ethernet for a work computer, television or games console where practical.
- Consider WiFi Max only if the stronger hub and pods address a genuine coverage problem.
Choosing a faster package
- More speed mainly adds capacity when several people are active together.
- Online gaming needs responsive latency more than a very high download rate.
- Full Fibre 300 cuts large download times but cannot fix a poorly placed router.
NOW TV
NOW broadband and NOW’s streaming service share a brand, but they are separate subscriptions. A broadband order does not automatically include Entertainment, Cinema or Sports unless the specific offer states that it does.
The streaming service works through an app on compatible televisions, streaming devices, phones, tablets, computers and games consoles. There is no aerial or satellite dish, and a standard membership does not include a recording box.
| Option | Main content or feature | Viewing experience |
|---|---|---|
| Entertainment | Sky entertainment channels, Sky Originals and selected returning HBO programmes | Standard membership quality and one simultaneous stream |
| Entertainment and HBO Max | Entertainment membership plus HBO Max Basic with Ads | Separate ads can remain within HBO Max and live channels |
| Cinema | Sky Cinema channels and on-demand films | Flexible or minimum-term membership options may be shown |
| Sports | Sky Sports channels and Sky Sports+ streams | Day, flexible monthly or saver options can be available |
| Boost | Full HD, Dolby Digital 5.1 and fewer on-demand adverts | Two simultaneous streams on supported content and devices |
| Ultra Boost | Up to 4K HDR, Dolby Atmos and fewer on-demand adverts | Three simultaneous streams on supported content and devices |
Standard NOW viewing is limited to 720p. Boost raises selected content to 1080p, while Ultra Boost adds selected 4K HDR programmes and sports feeds. Ads remain on live channels, live sport and promotional trailers even with an upgrade.
Some order journeys may offer a Sky Stream package alongside NOW-branded broadband. This is a Sky TV agreement with a Stream puck, rather than a standalone NOW membership. Check the television contract, included services and annual charges independently from the broadband price.
Sky Talk and Internet Calls
Current Powered by Sky broadband includes Sky Talk Pay as You Talk without a separate monthly subscription charge. Calls remain chargeable unless the customer adds a calls package.
Full fibre uses Internet Calls, so the telephone plugs into the hub instead of working as an independent analogue line. It stops during a broadband or power failure unless suitable backup is available. Sky applies additional checks where someone depends on the landline for emergency calls, has a care alarm or cannot obtain a usable mobile signal at home.
Is NOW broadband any good?
NOW provides competitively priced full fibre with the same account support and standard hub used for many Sky broadband customers. Its restricted speed range keeps ordering straightforward, but it also leaves a clear gap above 300Mbps.
Connection performance
Full fibre removes copper from the final connection into the home. The personal minimum applies to the speed reaching the hub, while wireless performance depends on the room and device.
Home equipment
The standard hub can handle the three NOW packages, but Wi-Fi 5 is a modest specification in 2026. WiFi Max improves the equipment at an additional monthly cost.
Customer service
New customers use Sky support and the My Sky app. Survey results covering NOW customers pre-date some of the Powered by Sky transition, so they do not describe every new customer’s experience.
Value
The starting price can be attractive, especially when a tracked deal includes a reward. The post-contract rate, WiFi Max charge and any contract increase must be included in the comparison.
Overall score in the 2026 Uswitch broadband customer survey.
Installation and setup score in the same survey.
Ofcom broadband complaints in the first quarter of 2026, below the industry average of six.
Our view
NOW Broadband Powered by Sky offers a simple route into full fibre. Full Fibre 75 covers lighter use, Full Fibre 100 provides a practical starting point for many shared homes, and Full Fibre 300 gives busy households more capacity without moving to a premium gigabit package. The standard router is the weakest part of the offer.
Our recommendation
Pros
- Low introductory prices can provide good contract value.
- Three full fibre packages cover common household needs.
- Sky handles the order, account and technical support.
- Speed and whole-home Wi-Fi promises are included.
- NOW memberships remain optional rather than compulsory.
Cons
- The fastest package has a 300Mbps average download speed.
- The standard Sky Broadband Hub uses Wi-Fi 5.
- Current packages require a 24-month commitment.
- Prices may change during the minimum term.
- The post-contract rates can be much higher.
Choose NOW if…
- Homes that can order Openreach or selected CityFibre full fibre.
- Customers comparing low starting prices and online rewards.
- Households that need no more than 300Mbps.
- People comfortable using Sky for billing and support.
- Customers who want Internet Calls included but make few chargeable calls.
Don’t choose NOW if…
- Anyone seeking a rolling or 12-month standard broadband contract.
- Homes that need 500Mbps, gigabit or multi-gigabit service.
- Customers expecting Wi-Fi 6 without paying for an add-on.
- People who want similar average download and upload speeds.
- Households requiring a traditional phone service during power cuts.
NOW broadband alternatives
| Provider | Reason to compare | Main difference |
|---|---|---|
| Sky Broadband | A wider choice of speeds and television packages | More packages, including gigabit and selected multi-gigabit services |
| Plusnet Broadband | Straightforward Openreach broadband | Different router, speed range and contract pricing |
| Vodafone Broadband | Openreach and CityFibre options | Selected CityFibre packages provide faster average upload speeds |
| Virgin Media | Faster downloads and television bundles | Uses a separate cable and full fibre network |
| EE Broadband | Newer router hardware and more support options | Wi-Fi 7 equipment is available with eligible current packages |
Check the latest broadband deals available at the address before choosing a provider.
NOW broadband FAQs
Is NOW Broadband the same as Sky Broadband?
NOW Broadband Powered by Sky is supplied and supported by Sky, but it has its own smaller package range and NOW-branded offers. Customers complete the order through Sky and manage the service with a Sky account.
Which router comes with NOW Broadband?
New customers receive the dual-band Wi-Fi 5 Sky Broadband Hub. Adding Sky WiFi Max provides the Wi-Fi 6 Sky Max Hub and access to Sky Max Pods when the support process confirms they are needed.
Does NOW Broadband include NOW TV?
Not as a permanent standard inclusion. NOW Entertainment, Cinema and Sports are separate streaming memberships unless the broadband offer specifically includes a trial or limited promotion.
Can I add Sky Stream to NOW Broadband?
A Sky Stream option may appear during the Sky checkout. It has its own television package, equipment and contract terms, so check it separately from a standalone NOW membership.
Does NOW offer gigabit broadband?
No. The main range currently stops at Full Fibre 300, with a 300Mbps average download speed. Sky, EE, Vodafone, Virgin Media and several alternative networks offer faster services in eligible areas.
Does NOW Broadband include a home phone?
Yes. Current terms include Sky Talk Pay as You Talk without a separate monthly subscription charge, although individual calls are chargeable. Full fibre customers use Internet Calls through the hub.
Can new customers join NOW Broadband Basics?
Legacy NOW Broadband Basics is only available to eligible existing NOW customers. New customers receiving an accepted benefit can contact Sky about the separate NOW Powered by Sky Basics tariff.
Can NOW increase the price during the contract?
Yes. Current Powered by Sky terms state that prices may change during the 24-month minimum term. Read the order summary and any later price-change notice carefully because cancellation rights depend on the contract and the change being made.
Does NOW guarantee Wi-Fi in every room?
The standard promise uses a 3Mbps room-speed threshold and has exclusions. WiFi Max raises the promise to 10Mbps on Full Fibre 75 and 100, or 25Mbps on Full Fibre 300, after Sky’s checks and subject to its conditions.
Do I need to return the NOW router after leaving?
Yes. The hub and any WiFi Max Pods remain on loan and must be returned when requested after cancellation, replacement or an upgrade. Sky can charge for equipment that is not returned.
How do I switch to NOW Broadband?
One Touch Switch allows most residential customers to order from the new provider without cancelling the previous service separately. Sky and the existing provider coordinate the transfer and confirm the change.
Check the current contract end date before ordering because an early termination charge can still apply. Automatic compensation may cover a delayed activation, missed engineer appointment or eligible total loss of service. A Wi-Fi problem or intermittent slowdown does not count as a complete loss of service.