Digital TV Guides

Sky TV, broadband and calls

By Anthony Hill - anthony.hill@consumerchoices.co.uk

Updated: Thursday 8 December, 2011

Want a huge choice of digital TV channels coupled with internet and calls? A Sky TV, broadband and phone package could be the perfect deal.

Because Sky uses satellite technology to deliver its TV channels, it manages to reach 98% of the country. So even if you're not covered by the Virgin Media cable network, or you can’t receive many Freeview channels, you'll still be able to choose from six Sky “viewing packs”, as well as HD and premium channels.

Sky TV

Whether you're simply looking for extra digital TV channels or really want to max out your telly service, Sky (www.sky.co.uk) will have a package to suit your needs.

Start by choosing your viewing packs:

• Entertainment
• Knowledge
• Style & Culture
• News & Events
• Kids’
• Music

You can pick individual packs, or take all six if you want, adding premium channels like Sky Sports or Sky Movies for an extra monthly cost.

And if you have a high-definition TV and want to watch your favourite shows in crystal clear HD, you can add the HD Pack for an extra £10.25 a month.

Sky even offers a 3D TV channel - so if you've got one of the latest 3D TVs, and a subscription to Sky World, you'll be able to watch a range of sports, arts and documentaries in a whole new dimension.

Sky broadband

As a new Sky TV customer you get the choice of two different broadband packages: Everyday Lite or Unlimited.

The Everyday Lite deal is free for TV customers if you're also taking a Sky Talk package - otherwise it will set you back £5 a month.

While both packages come with speeds of up to 20Mb broadband, Everyday Lite comes with a low 2GB download allowance - which is only really suitable for very light users.

On the other hand, Sky’s Unlimited package offers truly unlimited downloads - with no fair usage policy or traffic management - even when it comes to peer-to-peer filesharing services.

The Unlimited package, which costs £7.50 a month if you take TV and Talk services from Sky, also means that you can take full advantage of the Sky Anytime+ service.

Anytime+ hooks your Sky set-top box up to your internet connection to access thousands of hours of on-demand TV, movies and entertainment.

Sky Talk

Bundling all three Sky services lets you save even more cash. For example, you can save £5 a month on your broadband bills simply by taking the Sky Talk Freetime package - at no extra monthly cost.

Talk Freetime gives you inclusive evening and weekend landline calls. If you need more from your home phone, you can upgrade to the Talk Unlimited service, giving you anytime UK landline calls, free calls to 20 international destinations and a 20% discount on mobile rates - all for £5 a month.

Sky also offers its own line rental, costing £12.25 a month - far cheaper than the £14.60 a month charged by BT (www.btvision.bt.com).

Sky TV packages

Sky TV only		Sky TV + Broadband + Calls
More info	More info	More info	More info
from £12.50 a month + Sky+ box + £25 M&S voucher	from £17.62 a month + Sky+ box + £25 M&S voucher	from £12.50 a month + Sky+ Box + £25 M&S voucher	from £20 a month + Sky+ Box + £25 M&S voucher
Online exclusive 1/2 price TV for 6 months Sky TV - Sky Entertainment extra pack	Online exclusive 1/2 price TV for 6 months Sky TV - Sky Entertainment extra pack 1/2 price Sky HD pack for 6 months	Online exclusive 1/2 price TV for 6 months Sky TV - Sky Entertainment extra pack Up to 14Mb speed 2GB monthly usage Inclusive UK evening and weekend calls	Online exclusive 1/2 price TV for 6 months Sky Entertainment extra pack Up to 14Mb speed Unlimited downloads Inclusive UK evening and weekend calls
More info	More info	More info	More info
Visit Sky.com or call 0844 241 1407	Visit Sky.com or call 0844 241 1407	Visit Sky.com or call 0844 241 1407	Visit Sky.com or call 0844 241 1407

Compare digital TV bundles

But Sky isn’t the only telecoms provider to offer all-in-one digital TV, broadband and phone deals. Cable rival Virgin Media (www.virginmedia.com) and BT also offer their own bundle packages, so it’s important that you always compare digital TV deals online before signing up.