Verizon Fios uses a 100% fiber optic network, making it a great internet option if you're someone who plays online games or streams, since you'll get high upload and download speeds.
Whether you're playing Fortnite or Valorant, or streaming to an audience, you need a fast and reliable internet connection to ensure a smooth experience. Verizon Fios offers a fiber internet connection that can be up to 20 times faster than cable internet.
Let's take a look at some of the reasons to choose Verizon Fios and how it can improve your gaming and streaming experience.
Reasons to Choose Verizon Fios
Whether you're going to stream on Twitch or YouTube, play competitive online games like Valorant or Counter-Strike 2, or both, here are a few reasons why you should use Verizon Fios as your internet provider:
- Symmetrical Speeds: Verizon Fios uses a full-fledged fiber internet connection. This allows for symmetrical internet speeds, where you get the same upload and download speeds. Not only will you be able to download and play video games with large file sizes, but also be able to stream your gameplay at better video quality.
- Unlimited Data: Verizon Fios offers unlimited data. This means that you can download huge games and files without worrying about any overage fees. Some ISPs impose soft data caps that throttle your internet after a specific data limit. Luckily, Verizon Fios doesn't do that even after you cross a data threshold.
- Lower Latency: Since Verizon Fios is 100% fiber optic it has a lower latency than a lot of other ISPs, which is great for people who need a lot of bandwidth.
- Reliable & Secure Connection: Fios uses optic fiber cables for the internet which are harder to intercept compared to copper cables used in cable internet. Since fiber cables allow a higher bandwidth, you also get a more reliable internet connection.
How Much Bandwidth Do You Need for Gaming and Streaming?
The amount of bandwidth you use varies with the type of task you're doing. Video streaming uses the most amount of bandwidth, whereas multiplayer gaming doesn't use up a lot of data. Let's look at how much bandwidth is used during streaming, downloading, and multiplayer gaming.
Multiplayer Gaming
Many have this misconception that online gaming uses up a lot of bandwidth. While this is true for downloading games, multiplayer gaming uses significantly less amount of data. Here's the data used by the usual activities on the internet.
Activity | Approx. Data Used per Hour |
---|---|
Web Browsing | 70 MB |
Music Streaming | 115 MB – 150 MB |
Video Calls | 350 MB |
Online Gaming | 110 MB |
1080p Video Streaming on Netflix | 3 GB |
Here's how much data some of the most popular games use during an hour-long session.
Game | Approx. Data Used per Hour |
---|---|
Counter-Strike 2 | 250 MB |
Dota 2 | 120 MB |
Fortnite | 100 MB |
Grand Theft Auto V Online | 60 MB |
Minecraft | 40 MB |
Valorant | 250 MB |
Multiplayer gaming doesn't use up a lot of bandwidth. However, you do need to have a stable internet connection, since even slight stutters in your connection can have a devastating impact on your gameplay.
If you're going to be streaming your gameplay on Twitch or YouTube, you don't just need a reliable internet connection, but also a fast one.
Video Game Streaming
Video streaming in general uses up a lot of bandwidth. A lot of it also depends on the resolution and the bitrate you stream at.
Here's how much data you can expect to use when streaming on Twitch and YouTube.
Resolution | Bitrate (Kilobytes/Seconds) | Approx. Data Usage Per Hour |
---|---|---|
1080p | 3500 | 1.6 GB |
720p | 2500 | 1.2 GB |
480p | 1200 | 0.6 GB |
360p | 800 | 0.4 GB |
240p | 500 | 0.3 GB |
The total data usage can increase depending on your bitrate, the equipment you're using, applications running in the background, and the type of game you're playing.
If you're someone who streams single-player games, you know how ginormous video game sizes can get.
Video Game Downloading
This is a part where "the more the merrier" sits perfectly. Faster internet means that you can download games faster. Here's a comparison chart that shows how much time it takes to download some popular single-player games using Verizon Fios Home Internet plans.
Game | Size | 300 Mbps | 500 Mbps | 1 Gig | 2 Gig |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt | 50 GB | 23 min | 14 min | 7 min | 4 min |
DEATH STRANDING DIRECTOR'S CUT | 80 GB | 35 min | 22 min | 11 min | 6 min |
The Last Of Us Part 1 | 100 GB | 45 min | 27 min | 14 min | 7 min |
Black Myth Wukong | 130 GB | 58 min | 35 min | 18 min | 9 min |
Red Dead Redemption 2 | 150 GB | 1 hr 7 min | 40 min | 20 min | 10 min |
Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond | 180 GB | 1 hr 20 min | 48 min | 24 min | 12 min |
The mentioned stats are the approximate download time calculated. They can vary a bit for you, especially if you're streaming while you download a game.
Bonus Tip: How to get the best out of Verizon Fios for Game Streaming
Video game streaming uses a lot of data, which is why it's important to optimize your video to use less bandwidth while retaining its quality. Here are a few things you can do to get the best out of your internet connection for game streaming:
- Use Wired Internet: Whether you're using Verizon Fios or internet from another ISP, using wired internet is always better than wireless. Not only is wired internet reliable and consistent, but it transmits data quicker than wireless, making your internet faster with less lag.
- Close Unnecessary Tabs: Whether you're using wired or wireless internet, background activity can take up a lot of bandwidth, depending on the task you're performing. Make sure to close any background applications and close the unnecessary tabs in your browser. Also, check to see if there are any active tabs in the browser on your phone.
- Optimize Video Encoder: When you're producing a live stream, you're going to use a video encoder that converts raw video into stream-compatible video. To get the best results, set the encoder to encode 48 kHz audio with 128 kbps audio bitrate. Depending on the content you stream, aim for at least 60 frames per second for video.
- Set Video Bitrate: The bitrate you stream is something you need to keep in mind when streaming. This is the amount of data allocated to video and audio for each second of the stream. This influences the speed, resolution, and quality of your video. Verizon's internet plans allow for higher bitrates, so make sure you test out some of the higher bitrate options.
So, Is Verizon Fios Good for Gamers and Streamers?
Verizon Fios is great for activities that use up a lot of bandwidth, especially because they provide 100% fiber internet with no data caps, symmetrical speeds as well as extremely low latency. You also get some of the best average download and upload speeds with Fios.
I recommend getting Verizon Fios for gaming and streaming if it's available in your area. In case, Verizon Fios isn't currently available, you can check to see if there are other fiber internet providers in your area.
If your location doesn't have a proper fiber internet infrastructure, you can always find a provider that serves your area using your zip code.
FAQs
Which Router Is Best for Gaming?
For gaming, you should generally look for a router that supports WiFi 6 at Gigabit speeds. You should also check the range of the router to see if the signals can cover the entire area of the house. The router should also have multiple Ethernet ports that support multi-gig speeds.
How Much Internet Speed Do You Need for Smooth Gaming?
Speeds up to 10 Mbps are generally sufficient for most multiplayer games. However, faster speeds can improve your multiplayer experience. Symmetrical internet speeds can help reduce lag as well. If you download large video games, more download speed is always better since it can download your games faster.
Is Fiber Internet Better Than Cable Internet for Streaming?
Fiber internet is better than cable internet for streaming since it has a lower latency and faster internet speeds. Using a fiber internet also gives you symmetrical speeds, something which cable internet generally doesn't offer.