Broadband
for gaming

Gaming FAQs

• Is Full Fibre broadband good for gaming?

  Full Fibre broadband is great for gaming, offering advantages over traditional copper-based connections. The fast speeds (up to 2Gbps!) help to reduce latency and ensure smooth, lag-free gaming. Full Fibre broadband supports simultaneous high-bandwidth activities, so you can game, stream, and download large files without any noticeable performance drops.

• What gaming broadband speed is right for me?

  The ideal speed depends on your gaming habits and the number of devices connected. For most gamers, a download speed of at least 150Mb is great. If you play multiplayer games or engage in streaming, you may want a connection with speeds of 300Mb or higher. For homes with many gamers and devices then speeds of 500Mb or 900Mb can provide a better experience.

• Do I need a Static IP for gaming?

  Depends on the game and your set-up!

  A Static IP can improve connection stability for online gaming, making it easier to maintain reliable multiplayer sessions, reduce disconnects, and support smoother matchmaking and voice chat — particularly for competitive or server-hosted games.

  If you are only playing Solitaire, or single-player Stardew Valley then you probably don’t need a Static IP. Likewise, if you do most of your gaming on a console, a Static IP won’t change much in terms of your network performance.

• Do Grain use CGNAT?

  We do use CGNAT, this will create a double or moderate NAT type on your console, however this is not something that will generally affect gameplay. If CGNAT is a problem for your gaming then we offer our Gaming and Pro package upgrades which both include a Static IP.

• How do I get the best signal from Wi-Fi?

  There’s a few things you can do to improve your Wi-Fi network. Here’s just a few of them:

  • Make sure your router is centrally placed
  • Where possible, use the 5Ghz wireless band if you are close to your router
  • Reduce interference by switching off microwaves, cordless phones, etc.
  • Ensure your device is completely updated
  • Use a Wi-Fi extender or mesh network
  • Check the device network settings and ports
  • Limit what others are doing on your network at the same time

  Take a look at our article about troubleshooting your Wi-Fi for more information.

• Is gaming better with Ethernet or Wi-Fi?

  Gaming is generally better with an Ethernet connection compared to Wi-Fi. Ethernet offers advantages that are crucial for a smooth and reliable gaming experience. These include stability, lower latency, higher speeds and reduced interference. If you can use Ethernet, then do!

• Does the time of day I game matter?

  Yes, the time of day you play online games can affect your gaming experience.

  The good news is, because of Grain’s independent Full Fibre network, our customers each have their own dedicated connection and will not experience peak time lag from your network.

  However, peak times can affect the games you’re playing due to increased latency and congestion on game servers, which is outside of our control (and yours!).

   

• Can I host a game server with a Static IP?

  Absolutely. A Static IP makes hosting a game server much simpler, as players can always connect using the same address without interruptions caused by IP changes.