Guys, this is not the 90s. Many, if not most, games today no longer just live on disk or are downloaded once. They exist online as live services provided through patches, DLC releases, seasonal updates, ranked matches, and live events.
Did you know that your internet speed plan and home setup could be the last hurdle standing between you waiting for the latest patch to download and playing it?
Now that nbn has introduced faster wholesale speeds on select fiber optic (FTTP) and hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) plans across Australia, eligible gamers have the chance to unlock a smoother connection built for today and designed to be ready for what's next. That's why speed can matter, now more than ever.
Faster Loading May Mean First Batch of Content
Gamers strive for speed – we need everything immediately. We want to know about new features, bug fixes, and DLC as soon as they arrive (and sometimes that's not that fast/soon/fast enough yet). However, today's game updates could be massive. We are no longer talking about several hundred megabytes.
We are talking about nightly killer gigabytes of data – 50, 100 or even up to 200, often simultaneously with other downloads. At 50Mbps download speeds, installing a 200GB file can take hours, or almost as long as a Lord of the Rings marathon. Meanwhile, your comrades are already leveling up, and you are stuck on your phone while the progress bar drags across the screen.
With an nbn® HFC wholesale plan or high-speed fiber plan, the same downloads can be completed in a fraction of the time. Eligible Australian homes can now enjoy up to 5x faster nbn wholesale speeds on select HFC and full fiber plans. Instead of watching your console go through the icy installation process, you're in the lobby with your headset on and party chat buzzing. While you're gaming, faster speeds help your online sessions stay uninterrupted, even if the rest of your family drops out.*
As nbn is a wholesaler, we recommend you speak to your preferred internet provider to find a plan that suits your household.
More devices, more requirements
Let's be honest: it's not just you and your console anymore. The Australian household is practically a tech zoo, with an average of 25 connected devices. TVs broadcast in 4K format. Laptops handle video calls. Tablets have taken over YouTube. Smart speakers, security cameras, and even your refrigerator are asking to connect to your home Wi-Fi. Add a new patch download to the console and your computer is struggling to maintain a stable ping? Suddenly the Internet feels like a crowded rush hour bus with no air conditioning and you've just had a big lunch.
This is where higher speeds can make a difference. When you have enough bandwidth to play, everyone in the house will get what they need without disrupting each other's connections. No more watching your ping spike the moment your housemate starts live streaming their favorite sports team's match. No more attacks because someone decided to download the new season of their favorite TV series in 4K.
Think of it as squad coordination. If everyone tries to run in different directions at the same time, the mission will fail. But with faster connections, the team works smoothly and no one is left behind.
Prepare your installation for the future
By 2030, the average home is expected to nearly double the number of connected devices, reaching 44. This is a forecast that may even be exceeded. We'll all have more gadgets hungry for bandwidth, and the games themselves will only get harder. Blockbusters now regularly exceed 150GB of installs. Updates alone can eat up what used to be the equivalent of hard drive space.
If you're only planning what will work today, think again. Being future-ready means choosing a level of speed that can meet the needs of today and tomorrow. A faster plan and optimized Internet setup will help ensure that your console, PC, and TV don't choke when the next generation of hardware or services arrives.
This is the same logic as buying a gaming rig with some power reserves. You won't build a computer that can only run this year's games with minimal specs. You're creating one that can take you into the next few years without breaking a sweat. Your Internet setup should be configured with the same long-game approach.
Help stop the lag from stealing your winning streak
Lag is not just an inconvenience – it is the enemy of victory and must be defeated. It's that split second that decides whether your shot will hit the target or miss. It's stuttering that knocks you off the leaderboard and forces you to watch someone else take the crown. It's annoying – and it can be fixed.
With faster nbn speeds, you can finally put the odds in your favor. Higher speed plans give you access to bandwidth that will help you keep playing even if other devices are clogging up the network or even if the next patch download is big.
So, before you blame your controller, your console, or even your teammates, ask yourself: Is it time to upgrade your internet speed? Let your skills speak for themselves. With nbn fast speed tiers you can focus on the next step rather than getting connected.
Ready to level up? Check what's available to you here.
*Your experience, including the speeds actually achieved, will depend on many factors, including whether you use the Internet during busy periods (7pm to 11pm), the number of people in your household who are online at the same time, and some factors beyond nbn's control (such as the quality and setup of your equipment, the broadband plan you choose, the age of the device(s) and/or how your provider designs their network). For an nbn fixed wireless network, speeds can also be affected by the number of concurrent users on the nbn fixed wireless network, including during busy periods (7pm to 11pm).
