Fiber internet often gets framed as the fastest option—and it is. But speed alone doesn’t guarantee smooth gaming or productive work-from-home days. That’s where factors like latency, jitter, and reliability come in.
The Importance of Latency & Jitter
Gamers know the pain of lag. You press the button. Your character moves—eventually.
That delay is caused by latency, the time it takes data to travel between your device and the game server. And it’s not just about how fast your connection is, but how consistently it performs. This is where jitter becomes a problem: when the delay isn’t stable, you get stuttery gameplay and broken voice chat.
The same issues affect remote work. A frozen Zoom screen or robotic audio mid-meeting often comes down to inconsistent latency, not a lack of Mbps.
Fiber internet’s advantage? It offers symmetrical speeds and lower, more stable latency compared to cable or DSL. And it’s not shared across the neighborhood, so peak-hour congestion is less of a threat.
Check out residential fiber internet plans with Fort Collins Connexion.
Evidence from Fiber Users
Real-world experience backs this up:
- 74% of fiber users report improved gaming performance
- 51% say they experience less lag
So what’s behind those numbers? It’s not just faster downloads. It’s:
- Reduced ping times in online games
- Clearer voice chat
- Fewer dropped video calls
- Stable connections even when multiple devices are active
And in places like Fort Collins, Connexion’s municipal fiber service is designed to prioritize these exact outcomes, with no data caps or throttling, even on high-traffic days.
“Connexion is crazy fast, affordable, and has never gone down in the past two years I’ve had it. I work remotely 2-3 days a week, handling large files and on many virtual meetings, and it’s more reliable and has a better connection than when I’m in the office. My 14-year-old son is an avid gamer who cares about things like ping and lag time, and the 1 GB upload and download offered by Connexion is amazing and better than anything Xfinity has ever provided. We can all be on everything, and I’ve never seen anything buffer.”
– Grant Smith, Fort Collins Connexion Customer
Tips for Optimizing Fiber for Work & Play
Fiber gives you the foundation. But your setup still matters. Here’s how to get the most out of it:
- Router Placement & Quality
Put your router in a central, unobstructed location. Avoid putting it behind furniture or near microwaves. And if it’s over 3 years old, consider upgrading; many older models can’t handle full gigabit speeds.
Can your Wi-Fi router handle one gigabit speeds? - Use Ethernet for Gaming
For the most stable performance, connect your gaming PC or console via Ethernet. It avoids the latency and jitter often introduced by Wi-Fi. - Manage Bandwidth
Remote workers should prioritize tools like Zoom or Teams during work hours. Some routers allow bandwidth prioritization (QoS settings) to favor work devices or gaming consoles.
2.4GHz vs. 5GHz: What’s the difference, and what do you need? - Check Your Uploads
Many video calls and cloud sync tools rely on upload speed, not just downloads. Fiber’s symmetrical speeds mean no slowdowns when you’re sending files during a call.
Learn More About Upload and Download Speeds
Are You Getting What You Pay For?
Even with fiber, underperformance happens. According to recent surveys, 45% of internet users don’t know what speeds their internet plan offers, let alone whether they’re getting full value.
And if you’re still using bundled cable internet, performance during peak hours could be suffering from neighborhood-wide congestion.
If you’re working remotely or gaming regularly, it pays to ask:
- What’s your current plan’s speed?
- Are you experiencing delays, drops, or freezes?
- Have you tested your speed recently?
You can do that right now. Click here to run a speed test.
If your test results don’t match what you’re paying for, or if you’re seeing lag or buffering despite good speeds, it might be time to tweak your setup or upgrade your plan.
Check out our resource: How much internet do I need?
Don’t Just Chase Speed, Chase Consistency
What gamers and remote workers really need is a stable, congestion-free, low-latency connection. Fiber delivers that, especially when paired with the right plan, setup, and awareness.
Run a test. Check your gear. And if needed, upgrade your plan, not just for more Mbps, but for better performance where it counts.
Ready to See the Difference?
Fort Collins Connexion offers symmetrical speeds up to 10 Gbps, built specifically for the demands of modern gaming, work, and smart homes, with no data caps, no contracts, and no compromises.