Understanding Fibre Latency and Why it Matters for Gamers and Streamers

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Understanding Fibre Latency and Why it Matters for Gamers and Streamers

If your game lags at the worst moment or your stream drops in quality, it might not be your speed that’s the issue, it could be latency. 

Let’s break down what latency is, why it affects gamers and streamers more than most, and how fibre gives you the edge. 

What is latency, anyway? 

Latency is the time it takes for data to travel from your device to the internet server and back. It’s measured in milliseconds (ms). The lower the number, the faster the response. 

Think of it like reaction time. In gaming and real-time streaming, even a tiny delay can cause problems - like missed shots, voice sync issues or buffering. 

Gamers: You need low ping to stay competitive

“Ping” is basically latency by another name. In online games, a ping of 100ms or higher can ruin your experience - especially in fast-paced titles like shooters, fighters, or racing games. 

With fibre, latency stays low and stable, so you don’t miss a move. That’s why serious gamers avoid mobile or satellite connections and stick with fibre where it’s available.

Streamers: Consistency is everything 

For streamers on platforms like Twitch, YouTube, or TikTok Live, high latency can cause buffering, audio delays, or laggy video - even if your internet speed is technically “fast”. 

Fibre offers smoother, more reliable upstream performance. That means your content stays crisp and in-sync, without frustrating dropouts.  

Why fibre beats other connections for latency 

Fibre sends data as pulses of light over thin glass cables. That’s faster and more direct than copper (like DSL), mobile networks, or 5G - which can suffer interference, congestion, and routing delays. 

What good latency looks like 

• 0–20ms: Excellent – perfect for competitive gaming and HD streaming.
• 20–50ms: Good – most games and streams will run fine.
• 50ms+: You may start to notice lag, especially in real-time situations. 

MetroFibre Tip:

Want the best performance? Connect your gaming console or streaming rig with an Ethernet cable instead of using a Wi-Fi connection if possible. You’ll cut out wireless interference and get rock-solid latency. 

Final word: Fibre gives you more than just speed 

For gamers and streamers, low latency is the real game-changer. It’s what keeps your experience smooth, responsive, and frustration-free. 

With us, you’re not just getting fast download speeds - you’re getting the stable, low-latency connection that competitive players and content creators rely on.