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Best Broadband for Gaming
The complete guide to choosing broadband that won't let you down in competitive gaming. Learn what matters most and which providers deliver.
What Gamers Need From Broadband
Contrary to popular belief, raw download speed isn't the most important factor for online gaming. A 50 Mbps connection with low latency will outperform a 500 Mbps connection with high latency every time.
Latency (Ping) is king for gamers. This measures the time it takes for data to travel from your device to the game server and back. Lower is better - under 20ms is ideal for competitive gaming.
Full Fibre (FTTP) connections typically offer the lowest, most consistent latency. Cable and FTTC connections can be good but may have higher latency during peak hours.
Gaming Broadband Tips
- ✓Low Latency (Ping): The most critical factor - aim for under 20ms for competitive gaming.
- ✓Download Speed: 50+ Mbps recommended for downloading large game files quickly.
- ✓Upload Speed: Important for streaming gameplay - at least 10 Mbps recommended.
- ✓Connection Type: Full Fibre (FTTP) offers the most stable, lowest latency connections.
- ✓Wired Connection: Always use Ethernet for gaming when possible - WiFi adds latency.
- ✓No Throttling: Choose providers that don't throttle gaming traffic at peak times.