What to Know About Internet Service for Gaming
There’s a lot to consider when deciding on the best
fiber internet provider for your gaming needs – and it includes both speed and consistency. We’ll take a quick look at some of the most important factors when choosing an fiber internet service provider and how you can get the best fit.
Ping and Latency
A couple technical terms frequently used when speaking about Internet for gaming are "ping" and "latency", both of which impact game play. The ping is the time it takes for a signal to leave your device and return, while latency is the time it takes for data to reach you from a server. So, you can see that not only speed is key, the quality of your connection matters.
Wireless vs Wired Connection
While having a wired connection is preferable to going wireless, many gamers prefer a fiber connection. Look for fast speeds of 100 Mbps or more and a higher-quality connection to produce lower latency.
Upload/Download Speeds
Download speed is how fast your device pulls data from the server, including loading webpages and streaming videos. Upload speed is how fast your device is sending data to servers and is necessary for things like communicating with teammates. So, when you are pressing buttons on your controller, your device sends information out which translates into your gaming experience.
Upload speed is an overlooked factor when people consider an Internet connection for gaming because the speeds promoted by Internet providers are typically only download speeds. And while download speed is important, upload speeds are equally important when it comes to gaming. Your online ping depends on a good upload speed, so look for gaming Internet services with fast upload and download speeds.
No Data Cap on Internet Service
Gamers are essentially power users of Internet service. And there are a variety of “restrictions” that can be placed on your Internet plan that can cost you money. So, make sure your “unlimited” plan is truly unlimited when it comes to data. Better yet, sign up with a provider like Fidium that never caps the amount of data you can use.
Dedicated Connection
Finally, ask if you have a dedicated or shared connection. A dedicated connection makes difference, so when your neighbors are online at the same time you’re trying to defeat your enemy, you won’t get bogged down in the traffic.
To review: the best Internet for gaming service provider offers adequate upload and download speeds, a reliable dedicated connection to produce low latency and low ping, and no data caps – these qualities in your Internet service can improve your gaming experience and, of course, help you have more fun!