Internet built for gamers. 

The internet speed you need for gaming depends on several factors, including the number of heavy internet users in your household and the type of games you play. For example, casual games like Animal Crossing require less bandwidth compared to fast-paced, competitive games like Call of Duty. 

The FCC recommends a minimum of 3-4 Mbps for gaming on a single device. However, for a better experience, especially with online multiplayer games, aim for at least a 4 –Mbps download speed. Competitive gamers playing titles like Overwatch or Fortnite will benefit from higher speeds, ideally above 300 Mbps, to avoid lag and latency issues. 

Additional devices and people in a household will use up internet bandwidth, affecting your internet speed, so make sure your internet plan accounts for additional devices and usage. 

Remember, internet speed, latency and ping rate all impact your gaming performance. If you're experiencing lag, consider upgrading your plan or optimizing your connection. Testing your internet speed can help you determine if your current setup meets your gaming needs. Contact us to upgrade your plan. 

There are a few steps you can take to ensure high speeds and low lag times. 

1. Turn off non-essential devices and close unnecessary programs. Large applications like music or video software, or multiple devices on your network, can use up bandwidth and affect speed.
2. Use a wired Ethernet connection. Multiple people or devices in your home can result in a spotty connection. Connect your router to your gaming system with an Ethernet cable for the most reliable, fast signal.
3. Stay close to your router or add a Wi-Fi extender. If your router is far from your gaming setup, you might notice a slower connection. Move closer to the router or reposition it nearer to your setup. If that's not possible, add a Wi-Fi extender to improve signal strength. 
4. Pick a server near you. Your machine communicates with the game server. A server close to your physical location ensures faster communication between your device and the game server. To optimize communication, please check your device settings and research server options specific to the game you are trying to play.
5. Check if you need to upgrade your modem/router. Ensure your equipment is up-to-date and capable of handling your internet speed requirements. 

• Download Speed: How fast you pull data from the internet to your device.
• Upload Speed: How fast you send data from your device to the internet.
• Latency: The reaction speed of your internet connection – how long it takes for data to travel from your device to the server and back, including any delays.
• Ping: Round-trip time – how long it takes for a signal to travel from your device to the server and back.
• Lag: The delay between pressing a button and seeing the corresponding action on the screen. 

Most online activities involve downloads, such as loading webpages, streaming videos and saving files. This is why high-speed internet plans often prioritize faster download speeds over upload speeds, but some providers (like us) are starting to increase our upload speeds as well as the technology becomes available. 

In gaming, the term "ping" (or "ping rate") refers to how quickly you get a response from your internet connection after sending a request. This is closely related to latency, which encompasses both ping and lag. Latency has a significant impact on game performance and response time, more so than upload and download speeds.

Latency is the delay you experience during gaming. High latency means more lag, making your gaming less enjoyable, while low latency means smoother gameplay. 

For the best gaming experience, you want the latency from your gaming device to the internet server to be as close to 0 milliseconds (ms), as this means it takes little to no time for one device to respond to another. An acceptable number is anywhere around 40 to 60 ms or lower, while a speed of over 100 ms usually indicates a noticeable lag in gaming. 

Check the latency score at your address. 

Ping Range	Quality	Experience
0-20 ms	Ideal	As smooth and responsive as possible. Nearly no lag. High-quality visuals.
20-50 ms	Good	Smooth and responsive. Low lag. High-quality visuals.
50-100 ms	Fair	Some lag, depending on the game size, visuals and settings.
100-300 ms	Poor	Choppy. Frequent lags and delays.
300+ ms	Unplayable	Extensive delays. Bad experience.

• Geographical location: The distance between your router and the game server affects latency. Choosing a nearby server can reduce lag.
• Internet connection type: Coax and fiber-based internet provide speeds suitable for lag-free gaming.
• Equipment: An outdated router or multiple connections on your network can slow down your internet. Upgrading your router and disconnecting devices not in use may help reduce latency.