Most of the broadband deals available are perfect for your gaming needs. You don’t really have to focus on the technical details. Most gamers simply choose the fastest unlimited broadband options available at the most affordable prices. However, if you are a serious gamer or have specific requirements, you should take time to consider the various aspects of a broadband option that may affect your gaming needs such as latency, speed, content ration, packet loss and traffic management. Well, here is what you need to know when looking for the best broadband deal for gaming.
Broadband Speed
When playing games, you don’t necessarily need fast broadband. However, you need fibre optic if you are a gamer since you will be downloading a lot of things. Note that, some titles may be extremely huge. You also need fiber optic options that have faster upload speeds. This will come in handy especially if you are planning to do some multiplayer matches. The same goes if you are planning to stream your gaming sessions.
Data Limits
When purchasing broadband, you should always opt for unlimited broadband options. Deals with data limits are not very affordable. Note that, downloading a single game could hit the maximum limit very fast when using a gaming pc or console.
Latency And Jitter
Latency, also referred to as lag, refers to the response time of the internet connection. It is also known as ping time. When playing online games, you need to have low latency. Having a high latency rate will bring up delays that will be disadvantageous to you.
On the other hand, jitter refers to the variance in the latency period. Simply put, it refers to the changes from one moment to the next. Just like the latency rate, jitter can also make your online game unplayable. However, these are things you don’t need to worry about when looking for a good broadband provider. Note that, any fixed line service will actually be fast enough.
Packet Loss
When data is shared over a network, it’s likely that some of it may be lost on the way. However, there is error correction built into the system so it might never be a huge issue. If there is a lot of packet loss with time, it may become an issue for real-time communications during gaming sessions. Eventually, there will be jittery and lagging gameplay, especially what is experienced with high latency. However, you don’t need to worry about it when choosing a broadband provider.
Contention Ratio
It refers to the number of users relying on the same broadband connection. When everyone connects to the internet at once, the speed will reduce. However, the contention ratio is not a huge problem as it was previously, especially if you are using fiber-optic broadband that comes with a higher capacity. Actually, most broadband providers may fail to mention a contention ratio, except for business deals where low contention or having uncontended lines are a huge selling point.
Traffic Management
Also known as traffic shaping, traffic management refers to measures in place to ensure ultimate network stability for most users by slowing down certain activities that may consume a lot of bandwidth. It is mostly used to target file-sharing services such as Usenet, BitTorrent and much more. Gamers don’t have to worry if their broadband provider has a traffic management option. However, it’s always a good idea to read the fine print to find out whether or not you are affected by the traffic management options.
In conclusion, choosing the right broadband provider will determine whether or not you will have a good gaming experience. Use these tips to find the best broadband provider for your needs.