Speed & Stability
When it comes to online gaming, speed and stability make all the difference. A moment’s lag can cost you a clutch win, and slow download speeds leave you staring at progress bars instead of diving into your favourite titles. At Rocket Fibre, our full-fibre broadband ensures you have the speed and reliability you need for every gaming session. This guide explains how to choose the right connection, what real-world speeds you need, and how to optimise your setup for the ultimate online gaming experience.
Download Speeds vs. Upload Speeds: Why Both Matter
Download speed is the rate at which data comes to your console or PC. Faster download speeds mean quicker game installs, updates, and uninterrupted streaming of live gameplay. When you switch to Rocket Fibre’s plans—starting at 300 Mbps symmetrical—you’ll notice game downloads complete in minutes rather than hours.
Upload speed controls how fast you send data back to game servers and teammates, whether that’s voice chat, live streaming your match, or hosting private lobbies. Even if you’re not a streamer, strong upload speeds keep voice clear and actions in sync. Rocket Fibre’s symmetrical speeds ensure your upload matches your download, eliminating choppy broadcasts and sluggish command inputs.
Latency and Ping: The Hidden Speed Factor
Raw megabits per second only tell part of the story. Latency—often called ping—measures how quickly your commands travel from your device to the game server and back in milliseconds (ms). A ping under 30 ms feels instantaneous, while anything over 100 ms introduces noticeable lag in fast-paced titles. Rocket Fibre’s direct fibre routes minimise network hops, often delivering pings well below 20 ms to major UK and European servers.
Jitter, or variations in ping, can also cause micro-stutters even if your ping looks low. Our robust network and 24/7 monitoring keep jitter minimal so your session stays smooth.
Speed Recommendations by Gaming Style
Casual single-player and indie titles often run fine on 10–25 Mbps download and 3–5 Mbps upload. You’ll be able to download updates overnight and launch your game without delays. Competitive multiplayer—like first-person shooters and MOBAs—benefits from 50–100 Mbps download, 10–20 Mbps upload, and ping under 30 ms. These speeds ensure smooth gameplay, reliable voice chat, and the bandwidth to handle background downloads without interrupting your match.
For 4K cloud gaming and streaming services such as NVIDIA GeForce Now or Xbox Cloud Gaming, aim for at least 200 Mbps down, 20 Mbps up, and ping under 20 ms. Rocket Fibre’s gigabit-capable plans easily handle 4K streams and massive game libraries, letting you play AAA titles on modest hardware.
If you explore massive multiplayer worlds or co-op sessions with dozens of players, 100–200 Mbps down and 10–20 Mbps up offers a comfortable buffer. Rocket Fibre packages start at symmetric 300 Mbps and scale up to 1 Gbps, giving you plenty of headroom for any gaming style.
Wired Connections vs. Wi-Fi
Ethernet cables remain the gold standard for gaming. A direct Cat 6 or better connection from your router to your gaming PC or console guarantees the lowest latency, minimal interference, and full-speed delivery. Use a wired connection whenever possible—especially for your primary gaming device.
Modern Wi-Fi (Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi MAX mesh) has improved dramatically and can approach wired performance under ideal conditions. Wi-Fi is essential for mobile devices, secondary consoles, and areas where cables aren’t practical. However, walls, appliances, and neighbouring networks can introduce interference. Rocket Fibre’s dual-band Wi-Fi 6 routers and optional mesh add-ons ensure strong wireless coverage. Place your router centrally, use the 5 GHz band for gaming devices, and keep channels clear for best results.
Overcoming Network Congestion
Multiple devices streaming, downloading, or syncing at once can slow even a top-tier connection. To minimise network congestion, schedule large downloads and cloud backups outside peak gaming times. Use your router’s Quality of Service (QoS) settings to prioritise your console or PC. Close unnecessary background apps during play and consider dedicating a separate network for non-gaming devices.
Rocket Fibre’s pure full-fibre infrastructure naturally reduces congestion compared to shared copper or cable networks. Combined with simple tweaks, you’ll maintain high performance even when everyone comes home to game simultaneously.
Choosing the Perfect Internet Plan
When comparing broadband offers, seek symmetrical download and upload speeds. Many providers advertise high download rates but throttle upload—Rocket Fibre’s symmetric plans ensure fairness in both directions. Unlimited data is crucial; gaming and streaming can easily consume hundreds of gigabytes each month. Look for transparent pricing that bundles line rental, router hire, and optional home-phone services under one monthly rate. Watch out for hidden fees and mid-contract price hikes. Rocket Fibre offers clear plans with no surprises and flexible 12- or 24-month terms.
Our three tiers—UFB 300, UFB 600, and Giga Fibre (1 Gbps)—provide headroom for everything from casual play to professional-grade streaming. Unlimited data and 24/7 UK-based support are included, so you can focus on gaming without worrying about caps or downtime.
Optimising Your Home Gaming Network
Position your router centrally and away from thick walls or electronics like microwaves and cordless phones. Always keep firmware up to date to patch software vulnerabilities and boost stability. Use a guest network for mobile devices and IoT gadgets to preserve bandwidth for gaming. If possible, wire your main console or PC using high-quality Ethernet cable. Monitor your network with tools like Ping Plotter or your router’s diagnostics to identify any hiccups and fine-tune settings for peak performance.
Preparing for Next-Gen Gaming
The future of gaming is cloud-based, VR, and massively multiplayer. Services like cloud streaming require both high speeds and low latency. VR demands ultra-responsive connections to avoid motion sickness. Large multiplayer worlds push bandwidth and stability to the limit. Rocket Fibre’s expanding full-fibre network is built for these next-gen experiences, ensuring you stay at the cutting edge of online play.
FAQs About Gaming Speeds
Can modern Wi-Fi match Ethernet?
Wi-Fi 6 can approach wired speeds in ideal conditions, but Ethernet still offers the lowest latency and greatest consistency.
How much data do games use?
A single-player AAA game can be 50–100 GB. Streaming gameplay at 1080p uses 3–6 GB per hour. An unlimited data plan is highly recommended.
Will faster speeds lower my ping?
Pure speed doesn’t directly reduce ping, but a clean, direct fibre route lowers packet loss and jitter, resulting in a more stable connection.
The Rocket Fibre Advantage
Rocket Fibre’s network is built specifically for demanding users who expect nothing less than the best. Here’s how we deliver an unmatched gaming and streaming experience:
Superior Speeds
Our symmetric packages start at 300 Mbps and extend up to a full 1 Gbps for both download and upload. While many gamers settle for 50–100 Mbps down and 10–20 Mbps up, Rocket Fibre’s plans give you ample overhead to download massive game libraries, push hi-res streams to your audience, and upload large creative projects without breaking a sweat. Symmetric speed also means your voice chat, live spectator streams, and file transfers happen just as quickly as your downloads.
Low Latency
Lag is the enemy of performance. By running pure fibre all the way to your home, we minimise the number of network hops between you and your game server, consistently delivering ping rates under 20 ms to most major European and UK data centres. With that kind of responsiveness, every headshot, dodge, and sprint happen in real time, making even the fastest -paced FPS and competitive MOBA titles feel buttery smooth.
Uninterrupted Performance
Standard copper and hybrid cable networks suffer slowdowns during peak hours, neighbourhood congestion, and external interference. Rocket Fibre’s full-fibre architecture eliminates these bottlenecks. Whether you’re logging on at midday, streaming your marathon weekend session, or downloading a huge patch late at night, our network remains rock-solid. No throttling, no mid-game hiccups—just continuous high performance whenever you need it.
All-Inclusive Plans
We believe your plan should be straightforward. One flat monthly price covers unlimited data, line rental, router hire, and optional home-phone services. There are no hidden setup fees, no surprise mid-term price hikes, and no confusing add-ons. That clarity means you can budget confidently and enjoy premium broadband without worrying about extra charges or unexpected bills.
Expert Support
Rocket Fibre’s UK-based customer service team is available around the clock to handle setup, firmware updates, and any technical questions you might have. Our technicians know gaming demands inside and out—they’ll help you configure your router’s Quality of Service, optimise your Wi-Fi settings, or troubleshoot any issue. With responsive 24/7 support, you spend less time on hold and more time in the game.
Ready to Level Up?
Rocket Fibre’s full-fibre broadband is designed for gaming, streaming, and everything in between. Enter your postcode now to check availability, choose your perfect plan, and experience truly good internet for gaming today!
