Online gaming requires a high-speed internet connection. However, speed is not the only factor that determines your overall gaming experience. High latency can also cause frequent lags in the gameplay. Therefore, it is important to consider multiple factors when choosing a broadband plan that ensures high internet speed.

There are various applications to checkinternet speed. These network speed test applications offer a detailed report after evaluating your internet speed. This article will explain everything that you need to know about speed test results!

What is internet speed?

Internet speed refers to the rate at which data packets are transferred between your internet device and the World Wide Web i.e. internet. It is measured in Mbps (megabits per second) or Kbps (kilobits per second).

The upload speed refers to the speed at which data travels from your device to the internet. Similarly, the speed at which data gets downloaded on your device is known as the download speed. Some applications offer a separate upload speed test and a download speed test.

Many network speed test applications are easily available today. You can download them on your phone or laptop. These applications measure the speed of your internet connection at that specific moment.

This means that if you conduct multiple tests, the results might vary each time. If there is a huge difference between the results of each test, it suggests that your internet connection is unstable.

What is the ideal internet speed for gaming?

Internet speed up to 50 Mbps should be good enough to play most games. If you like to play high-end multiplayer games, you should look for internet speed up to 100 Mbps or more.

Most modern-day internet services offer speeds above 100 Mbps. However, many other factors come into play while gaming. For instance, internet speed can drop if multiple devices are connected to the same WiFi.

This means that if someone in your house downloads a movie while you are gaming online, you may experience some lags. To avoid this issue, you can use a dedicated connection for gaming. Alternatively, you can use routers that support dual-band channels.

With a dual-band router, you can set your gaming device on one channel and the remaining devices can be configured on another channel. This will ensure that you get a dedicated bandwidth while playing games.

How to check internet speed?

There are many ways to check the internet speed of your connection. You can download a network speed test application or simply visit a site that checks WiFi speed.

Upon downloading the application, you can ask it to perform a network speed test. The application will ask you to enable your location and then it will start measuring the speed.

After a few seconds, the application will show the speed test results on your display. While calculating internet speed, speed test applications mostly check the following metrics:

1. Ping Rate

In simple words, ping rate refers to the time taken for the data packets to travel from your gaming device to the server. The ping rate is measured to determine the latency of your internet connection. It is measured in milliseconds.

Ideally, anything below 70 ms (milliseconds) is considered to be good enough for gaming. However, high-speed games require the ping rate to be lower than 50 ms. This is where most of the internet connections fail!

One reason for a high ping rate could be network congestion. If too many devices are accessing your WiFi, the router will receive multiple data packets every second. It cannot process all the data at once. So, it places the data packets in a queue.

An efficient router will be quick enough to process the data packets in real time. If your router is not configured to the highest settings, it may lose some data packets. As a result, your games will become unresponsive or they may take time to respond. This will impact your overall gaming experience.

To prevent this, you can get a gaming router that supports high-end gaming. A gaming router uses the latest internet technologies and offers a low ping rate. So, data packets are not lost and you can indulge in online gaming without any issues!

2. Upload Speed

The speed at which data travels between your gaming device and the game server is called upload speed. If the upload speed is not up to the mark, you will face issues while uploading your details. Your communication with online players may also suffer due to this.

Broadband speedtest applications measure upload speeds as well. Usually, the upload speeds are lower than the download speeds. However, professional gamers need their upload speeds to be on par with the download speeds.

This is because they indulge in high-resolution games with plenty of action happening every second. Live gaming competitions and tournaments also require a higher upload speed.

Some gamers stream their gaming sessions live on Twitch and other gaming platforms. Video calling, streaming live matches and similar activities require high upload speeds. So, they need their upload speeds to be fast enough to support their live streams.

3. Download Speed

Download speed is the speed at which data travels from the game server to your device. A high download speed allows you to download high-resolution games and movies.

While gaming online, the graphics and visuals are downloaded from the server to your gaming device. If the download speed is low, the information will take time to load. This will result in lags or jittering, which will affect your overall gaming experience.

So, it is always recommended that you ask your ISP about the download and upload speed. ISPs often use their highest broadband speed in marketing and promotions. So, the actual speed you get may be lower than the promised speed.

Always check internet speed before availing an internet connection. Use only trusted and renowned broadband speed test applications. Finally, get an internet connection that delivers all that is promised in their advertisements.

Factors that impact internet speed

There could be many reasons for slow network speed. If you use WiFi for gaming, it is important to ensure that your gaming setup is not far away from the router. Weak WiFi signals can result in reduced internet speed. Additionally, it is advisable to minimise the number of devices connected to the WiFi when playing online games. Issues like this can be easily addressed or resolved.

However, what if your internet connection has underlying issues?

This is where the support services offered by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) come into play. It is recommended to choose an ISP that provides dedicated customer support services. Their support team should have technicians who can visit your house and fix your connection if something goes wrong.

Here are some other reasons that may slow down your internet speed:

1. Connection Type

There are various types of internet connections in the market today. Wired connections are generally preferred for gaming because they are less prone to downtimes caused by bad weather and bandwidth throttling.That said, not all wired connections are equally efficient in providing high-speed internet.

Fibre internet connections are considered the best option for gaming online. These connections use fibre-optic wires and transmit data via light pulses or signals. As a result, you get high-speed internet consistently.

Fibre wires are dug deep into the ground. So, fibre internet does not fluctuate due to rain, storms, cloudy weather and other external reasons. The dedicated speed and bandwidth offered by fibre connections can make your gaming experience much smoother.

2. Outdated router

If you use an old and outdated router, it may struggle to handle high-end games. It is advisable to upgrade the router's software or replace it entirely. Gaming routers are preferred as they offer consistent and reliable experience to gamers.

The position of the router also matters if you use WiFi for gaming online. Avoid placing the router behind a wall, furniture or any solid object. Additionally, ensure that the router is not placed where other chords or wires may be located.

Opt for a central location for the router to ensure even distribution of WiFi signals throughout the house. Position it higher than the furniture and other devices in your home. Placing the router in a lower position can result in reduced internet speed, as WiFi signals take longer to travel upwards.

3. Crowded places

Network issues are often encountered in crowded places due to the limited network bandwidth being shared among multiple users in that area. If you reside in a densely populated area, operate your router on a channel frequency that is less commonly used by others.

To determine the most-used channel in your location, you can utilise a WiFi channel scanner. By switching to a less congested channel, you can immediately experience improved network performance.

Alternatively, you can enhance your gaming experience by connecting your laptop or gaming device directly to the router using an Ethernet cable. This allows you to have dedicated bandwidth while gaming, minimising potential network congestion.

4. Gaming in peak hours

During peak hours (between 7 p.m. to 12 a.m.), online gaming may be affected due to insufficient internet speed. This is because a large number of internet users in your neighbourhood may be active during this period. To assess the impact of peak hours on your internet speed, it is advisable to run a network speed test during these times.

Opting for a fibre internet connection can be beneficial, as it is less commonly used. Most people still use DSL or cable-wired connections in many areas. When a connection is shared among multiple users in the same locality, the internet speed can be compromised, especially during peak hours.

Consider switching to a fibre internet plan to minimise these issues. However, it is important to verify whether the Internet Service Provider (ISP) offers true Fibernet services in your area. Some ISPs may simply attach their lines to the fibre-optic network without providing genuine Fibernet services.

By choosing a reliable ISP that offers true Fibernet services, you can ensure a more consistent and faster internet connection for your online gaming needs.

Features of ACT Fibernet

At ACT Fibernet, we offer true Fibernet services in 23 cities across the country. Our network speeds have clocked up to 1 Gbps in most locations. Some of the highlights of our internet services include:

1. Unlimited Plans

At ACT Fibernet, we provide unlimited plans for serious gamers. By opting for the unlimited broadband plans, you can enjoy a seamless gaming experience. You don’t have to worry about exhausting the data limit while playing high-end games.

2. Add-Ons

Our broadband internet plans come with many add-on features and benefits. You get complimentary access to Netflix, SonyLiv, Disney+Hotstar, Zee5 and other OTT channels at no extra cost. We also provide YuppTV Scope so that you can watch the missed episodes of your favourite shows.

3. Equal Upload and Download Speeds

With ACT Fibernet plans, you get equal upload and download speeds. This means that you can manage all your gaming activities without breaking a sweat!

4. High Internet Speed

Our broadband plans offer high internet speed at consistent rates. The speed remains consistent even during peak hours of the day. So, you won’t experience any lags and jitters while gaming online.

Conclusion

Conducting a broadband speed test is essential to know whether your internet speed is good enough for gaming. Understand all the metrics for speed test results to know where your internet connection is lagging.

At ACT Fibernet, we offer dedicated broadband plans for gamers. These plans not only offer sufficient data but also offer high-speed and reliable services. Our customer support team is responsive and is trained to handle all the technical issues. Connect with us now to know how we can redefine your gaming experience!