Gaming essentials extend far beyond the components and accessories that go into your PC build and overall setup—because they include a good internet connection, too.
We’ve noted how necessary it is if you want to play the top games on platforms like UBG98, which boasts a wide range of browser-based titles. If you’re downloading graphics-heavy games or competing in popular multiplayer ones like Call of Duty in real-time, you need stable internet, too.
However, procuring a sufficient connection in the UK can be easier said than done. As of March 2025, it’s one of the lowest-ranking developed countries in the world in terms of broadband internet.
Compared to Singapore, which currently occupies the top spot with an average download speed of 345.33 Mbps, the UK comes in at 135.66 Mbps.
Though connections are generally worse in the countryside, even major cities like London aren’t exempt from lag—an interactive map from City Hall notes that some areas here are still ‘internet not-spots’ where speeds are as low as 30Mbps.
To achieve smoother gameplay, it’s thus worth looking into your current connection and seeing if it’s time to upgrade to full fibre broadband. Here’s more on what that is and why you’ll need it for gaming:
Defining Full Fibre Broadband
Traditionally, UK properties use fibre-to-the-cabinet or FTTC connections, which link them to the internet via copper telephone wires. As the name ‘FTTC’ suggests, these wires originate from an exchange and pass through a street cabinet before connecting to a property.
Unfortunately, copper wires degrade easily and lose data signals over longer distances, meaning gamers on an FTTC setup are more likely to experience slow speeds and even service downtime.
That said, what is full fibre, and how does it compare? According to the internet service provider (ISP) Zzoomm, this kind of connection—also known as fibre-to-the-premises or FTTP—uses more modern optic fibre cables to directly link exchanges to properties.
These cables are made of more durable plastic or glass and transmit data with light rather than electric signals that don’t degrade with distance. On top of that, they eliminate the need for street cabinets.
As a result, full fibre broadband can provide faster and more reliable internet connections that aren’t vulnerable to downtime. Because of that, it’s better equipped to handle the heavy data usage involved in gaming.
Why Gamers Need Full Fibre?
1. Low Latency
Consistently high and symmetrical upload and download speeds are crucial for playing games, regardless of whether you need to download them or play them online.
Since full fibre broadband is gigabit, some premium packages boast speeds of up to 2000Mbps, a far cry from the country’s aforementioned average of 135.66Mbps, and it can provide the high responsiveness and low latency needed for smoother and more seamless gameplay.
More importantly, using full fibre means you won’t experience lag even if you live in a larger household where people do other data-heavy tasks as you play, such as working from home or streaming quality videos on platforms like Netflix.
2. Enhanced Reliability
Because optic fibre cables are more durable and boast longer lifespans than traditional copper wires, switching to full fibre means you’ll be future-proofing your internet connection and lowering your chances of experiencing downtime in bad weather—as was the case during Storm Éowymn, which knocked out FTTC connections in over 160,000 premises across the UK and Ireland while affecting overall internet availability and connectivity.
What that means is that, rain or shine, your internet won’t drop as you game. That can be especially vital if you enjoy multiplayer titles that require online connectivity, like Valorant and League of Legends, as it’ll allow you to keep competing at your best for longer.
3. Customised Packages
Arguably the most appealing feature full fibre offers gamers is the fact that it can be accessed through plans specifically designed to improve gameplay.
That’s easily seen in the likes of EE’s full fibre gaming packages. Aside from offering gigafast FTTP connections like generic full fibre broadband does, the ISP’s ‘Broadband Made for Gamers’ bundle goes further by adding a dedicated ‘Game Mode’ feature.
Powered by Netduma, it comes with a dedicated geo filter to automatically select servers with the lowest latencies, as well as a ping optimiser that can further reduce buffering by up to 24%.
As a bonus, the bundle offers a two-year Xbox Game Pass subscription, which provides access to hundreds of titles alongside a better internet connection.
