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4 Must-Have Gadgets For PC Gamers

Technology has a marvellous impact on the gaming industry. Regardless of whether you are young or elderly, casual mobile players or trophy hunters, gaming has something that will attract your attention. The feeling of a racing heart and the gratification obtained from the victory can be immensely pleasurable. 

So, from cutting-edge consoles to top-of-the-line accessories, these are the best gaming gadgets to enhance your home-gaming experience:

HyperX Cloud Alpha (£89.99)  

This late version of HyperX Cloud Alpha S is a great deal. The HyperX Cloud Alpha builds upon the ground-breaking Dual Chamber Drivers design and will give your audio more distinction and clarity by reducing distortion. It is super comfortable and sounds awesome with its certified detachable noise-cancellation by Discord and TeamSpeak™.

HyperX Cloud Alpha S is multi-platform compatible with in-line audio controls, so serious gamers on PC, PS4™, Xbox One™ (and other platforms with a 3.5mm port) will benefit from the bold sound of the Cloud Alpha evolution. Impeccable sound quality, and excellent performance, make this gadget the ideal choice for users who game for hours on end.

You should also consider running an internet speed test to check how much internet bandwidth you have available this can affect your sound quality.

Redragon K585 DITI (£42.99)

Anyone trying to convert from console gaming to PC gaming can make their life easier with this gaming keypad. The Redragon K585 Wireless Diti Elite can help the transition from gamepad/analog stick gaming to keyboard/mouse gaming. 

The build quality is top-notch, as this half-hand keyboard is equipped with the most essential parts, such as blue switches and 7 programmable macro keys. There is also a magnetic wrist rest and a detachable USB type c connector. The RGB is vibrant and the keys aren’t super glossy with just enough texture to stand up to sweaty hands! 

The Redragon K585 Diti performs all the necessary tasks a gaming session needs. Clearly it is an excellent gaming keyboard for a fraction of the price. 

This gadget is highly responsive, thus Gigabit connectivity will be a perfect for it’s outstanding performance. Definitely a must-have!

Razer Kiyo Pro Webcam (£89.99)

Razer Kiyo Pro is an impressive webcam that can record video in 1080p resolution at 60 frames per second.

It is twice as expensive as the previous Kiyo but it is undoubtedly a far better webcam. All you need is a good internet connection for your calls or streams and this gadget will handle the rest. 

The Kiyo has a high-performance adaptive light sensor and autofocus to support the lighting setup or condition you have so that even the darkest room will look good on camera! Plus, you can make your stream pop with more vibrant colours by activating HDR at 30FPS. It can ramp up your video’s dynamic range while correcting over and underexposed areas. 

The Razer Kiyo Pro is a significant leap ahead and definitely what you need for perfect live streaming. All you have to worry about now is your internet upload speed so you can achieve maximum video quality.

Elgato Stream Deck (£139.99

Stream Deck integrates your tools and automatically detects your scenes, media, and audio sources, enabling you to control them with a quick tap of a key. These LCD keys can trigger anything you set them to – including launching OBS for broadcasting, Twitch, YouTube, TipeeeStream, or XSplit. 

This stream deck can also perform several other tasks, like switching between multiple webcams or opening other applications while in-game. Everything you need is at your fingertips.

So, why are good gaming gadgets important?

Gaming is definitely for anyone, but if you wish to grow your pro skills, you need to have the necessary tools and internet connection to help you stand out against the competition.

If you wish to be a true pro gamer you must set the bar higher every time and not rely on outdated methods. This also applies to your internet connection. 

Low latency, fast download and upload speeds, what more can you want? Just #GameWithGiga.

3 Reasons Why Gigabit Internet Can Boost Your Creativity

Happy National Creativity Day! 

Embrace your creative energies and let today be all about where they will take you. 

There are multiple ways to increase creativity, especially with many conveniences offered in this digital era. The internet has become an essential tool for development and has enabled creativity tools to push the boundaries of what is digitally possible. 

Here are three reasons how Gigabit Internet technology has improved exponentially to boost creativity in today’s society:

Gigabit Internet Improves Productivity

You certainly know that the internet invention has provided us the ability to cultivate ourselves.

All we should do is practice and develop our talents by making time for it. It is even considerably cheaper to improve, as the Internet has lowered the cost to be creative.

Gigabit connection is ultra-reliable, which allows you to try multiple platforms and even operate them simultaneously. 

Do you want to edit a video? You can use iMovie, InShot or CapCut. These platforms can provide you with shortcuts and templates so that you can edit your video instantly. 

If you’re looking for a beginner tutorial to show you how to get started with iMovie, you can find a great one here.

Need to design an ads for your marketing campaign? You can use Canva or Design Wizard. They’re simple to use and don’t need any design experience.

The internet has brought several tools for faster, more efficient creation. It provides simplicity and convenience for you to explore. Leading to higher productivity so you can learn, create and sell your inner talents. Nowadays people are not talking about abilities but speed. It is more about how you are willing to try and improve.

However, do you know that on average people at work can lose 44 minutes per week due to poor internet connection? Just make sure you are not one of them! Make sure it’s running properly so that your creative juices keep flowing and productivity keeps soaring. 

Internet Provides Multiple Tools To Learn and Support Your Creativity

The internet has no boundaries and triggers a desire in many of us, to learn new things. All you have to do is devote yourself to improving your creative skills. Set a goal, make an effort, and commit to it. There are multiple platforms available to find your creative feet. The digital age has allowed everyone to be a creator.

YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest are served as launching pads. You can learn from them and share your creations easier than ever before. Creativity has become so accessible to everyone. 

Gigabit Internet Leads You to New Opportunities

Working with creativity means that you have to continually challenge yourself to advance your abilities.

It can involve finding new tools or tackling a new project. The Internet can help you connect with new people who share your passion.It supports you to find new audiences, making it easier to reach those who will enjoy or need your creations.

Do you want to sell your artwork? You can go to Etsy, Amazon Handmade, Redbubble or Saatchi Art.

Or do you want to sell your skills and help companies with their artwork? Working on their logo, website or branding? You can check 99designs, Fiverr or UpWork. Expose yourself and develop your creative skills. Creativity is a faculty that allows people to go beyond capacity. It is up to us to make good use of it.

Want to know how Gigabit Networks can help you boost your creativity? Use our postcode checker to see if we are in your area!

3 Things the Big Broadband Providers Don’t Want You to Know

Big broadband providers can be well known for their broken promises and shady contracts. It is often that they will say one thing, but it means another. This is where Gigabit comes in…

While you could always switch to Gigabit Networks for a hassle-free, price fixed contract, we know sometimes people are stuck in their broadband contracts for months or even years without the option to switch. 

So, if you’re currently in a contract and can’t switch to Gigabit, or looking at a contract with one of the big providers, we’ve put together a list of 3 things they don’t want you to know. 

We hope these tips can help you to better understand broadband contracts and where you can get caught out.

The ‘working hours’ trick 

Big providers such as Virgin are well-known for using the ‘working hours’ trick. By using this, broadband providers can offer a ‘72 working hours fix’ or ’48 working hours install’ this way it may look as though you can expect your fix in 3 days or install in two days.

This is a simple way that providers will attempt to catch you out. In reality, a 72 working hour fix equates to about 9 days, which of course they wouldn’t want to tell you.

So, while you may enter your contract thinking the wait times will be reasonable, when the time for your fix comes, you will quickly realise that your provider has used sly wording to catch you out!

They’re selling you ‘fibre broadband’ that isn’t really fibre broadband

Big providers love to throw the term ‘fibre broadband’ around. 

As a consumer, it’s hard to know about all of the complicated telecommunication’s jargon, so of course, you’re going to take what the big brands say as the truth.

Actually, fibre broadband as you know it, is probably what we like to call ‘fake fibre’. 

Fake fibre uses a part-fibre connection where the cabling from the exchange to the street cabinet is made from fibre and the cabling from the street cabinet to your home is actually copper. This intereferes with your connection, slows it down and shares it with your street.

The CityFibre infrastructure (used by Gigabit Networks) is completely made up of pure fibre, all the way from the exchange and straight to your home. 

Pure fibre is where the true magic happens and where you can get insanely fast speeds that also reduce your impact on the environment! 

For more on the relation between pure fibre and the environment read our blog Purefibre broadband – your path to a greener home

Your monthly bill is probably going to increase

You’re not naïve for thinking that the price you agree to pay for your broadband per month would stay the same throughout your entire contract. 

Of course, prices may increase in line with inflation when you switch to a new contract but surely the big providers wouldn’t just bump costs up on you mid-contract?

Unfortunately, they would…

In fact, this has probably happened to you already. 

As of the 1st of April, you may have noticed your broadband or mobile bill increase by as much as 11% due to inflation rates.

If you want to know if your provider can do this or not it’s important to read your terms and conditions. If you agree to the terms and conditions of a contract that states that it may increase your bill, then unfortunately you must pay that increase.

Certain providers, including us, have a promise that we won’t increase your prices mid-contract. That means, no matter what, you can expect to pay the exact same bill every month. No uncertainty. No sly contracts. Just good, honest speeds.

Check your postcode now

5 Top Tips for Optimising your Home Wi-Fi 

Bad WiFi signal can become frustrating especially when you’re paying for it, here are Gigabit’s five top tips on how to improve your home Wi-Fi:

  1. Check your wired internet connection:

Checking your wired connection to the router is often the first step to troubleshooting your Wi-Fi connection issues. Ensuring your wired ethernet connection is fully functioning, undamaged and checking the connection is not loose. Followed by a quick network configuration to search for the root cause of the problem should hopefully quickly and efficiently solve the problem. 

  1. Check your true broadband speed: 

Checking your broadband speeds is essential. The running of a speed test is the most efficient method to find out whether there’s an issue with the router itself or if the issues lay with your internet service provider (ISP).  

  1. Position your router in a central location: 

Changing the physical position of your network points and router can boost your signal, this is because the antenna located on the router box is what radiates the signal to connect to your home devices. 

Therefore, a central location will be the best fit between all devices within your home to try and achieve equal signal throughout the house. 

If the positioning of the router centrally cannot be facilitated it is important to ensure the router is not located at low positions such as on the floor, in a corner or directly next to any solid barriers as this becomes a barrier for the Wi-Fi signals to radiate through and connect to your home devices. 

You should aim for elevated positions for optimal stability and strength. 

  1. Use of router extenders: 

Use of a router extender allows you to shorten the WiFi distance between your devices and the router thereby extending the range of the wireless network increasing device speeds and improving performance. 

Router extenders can be convenient and budget friendly while successfully expanding your signal coverage in your home and eliminates WiFi dead zones. However, home users have to consider that the host factors can be limited if the original source (home router) signal is slow and weak. 

You should consider performing a speed test prior to purchasing a WiFi extender to ensure it will be beneficial and the actual signal strength isn’t the main issue.   

  1. Upgrade you router: 

You should consider upgrading the router for boosting your signal.  The replacement of the physical Wifi router can be beneficial as tech can become outdated, worn and broken which may reduce the stability and strength of your WiFi. Therefore upgrading can improve network functionality and enhance range/coverage. 

Thanks to UK’s most reliable broadband technology, Gigabit Networks can offer speeds of upto 930Mbps – 20x faster than the UK average. To switch to Gigabit today, simply visit our homepage.

How ultrafast broadband can drive more business: the shift to e-commerce

According to Nasdaq research, by 2040 95% of purchases will be online. This may be a shock to small businesses. Luckily, we have about 18 years to adjust!

Now we can probably say we saw this coming, most of us can see the slow but sure shift to e-commerce where convenience and speed is a priority. This has only been catalysed by the pandemic where customers boosted amazon’s profits by 220%.

So, going digital now might just give you the edge you need against your competitors – don’t wait till 2040. The internet is inevitably going to open your business up to more customers and make your product/service accessible to all.

So how can my SME make the jump to digital?

Finding a platform

In a world so dominated by e-commerce, there’s going to be competition, but there will also be a larger customer base. You can choose to build this customer base through selling platforms such as Amazon, eBay or Etsy or you can create this customer base yourself by building your own selling platform and attracting audience through digital marketing. 

Eventually, businesses making enough sales tend to migrate to their own site rather than using a selling platform anyway – this way they can cut out the high charges that these platforms tend to add so consider this when choosing your platform.

Examples of great platforms to create your own store include sites such as WixShopify and Squarespacewhere you can build your store, add plugins and track progress.

Once you’ve found your preferred platform you can begin to build your store. 

To maintain this store, you should of course consider the business connection you’re using – downtime can be bad for business and somebody needs to be available as much as possible to answer potential customer queries and track orders as 82% of consumers expect a response within 5 minutes via live online chats.

GigaFast Business Fibre is the perfect product for e-commerce – we can ensure your store stays online with our 99.95% SLA and next business day fix. The ROI (return on investment) is massive at just £99 per month for 1Gbps symmetrical speeds.

Digital Marketing

Now you have your platform and a reliable connection to keep it running you need to consider digital marketing if you haven’t already. 

If you’re not in a position to employ a digital marketer to help you out, consider taking a free digital marketing course – like this one from Hubspot – to help you learn how to get your product/service out to the right people. You could also cut costs by finding a freelance marketer on sites such as Fiverr.

If you employ the right marketing strategy alongside a few well thought out ads, you will start to see revenue in no time.

So how does all of this relate to superfast broadband?

To make things easier to understand, imagine your (potential) e-commerce business is a plant. Broadband is like water. Ultrafast broadband, however, is like water infused with fertiliser and nutrients.

Ultrafast broadband, like GigaFast Business Fibre, is going to have everything you need to facilitate the growth of this e-commerce business, your options will be limitless and you won’t be held back by what you can get away with on a tiny bandwidth.

A fast and reliable service will inevitably feed straight into customer experience as well. If your customer service staff are struggling to respond to customer queries due to long loading times or your connection cutting out altogether, customers may not return.

Innovation opportunities are also limitless. Live streaming is a relatively new avenue in digital marketing which engages customers and communicates the value of products. Customers won’t get a good impression if the live stream is constantly buffering. 

So, stay ahead of the times, don’t get left behind. 

Make the shift to e-commerce today and switch to a Gigabit Business Fibre connection – we won’t let you down.

Virtual things you can do this April

April is here. The clocks have gone forwards and British summer time has now started which means more bank holidays, more school holidays and more time to keep entertained!

Sometimes being out all the time can be draining or maybe, as it starts to get hot, the outside weather just isn’t for you. Plus, with the cost of living rising, it isn’t realistic to have big trips and days out planned for every weekend in summer. 

That’s why we’ve decided to pull together a list of a few virtual ways you can entertain yourself this April. With the easter holidays fast approaching it can be hectic trying to think of how to keep yourself and the kids entertained. Well, with a GigaFast Home connection and this handy list, this summer doesn’t need to be expensive or boring.

New Netflix shows

There are plenty of new shows on Netflix this April. Ozark – a thrilling crime drama – is returning for a final part this April, and with 4 seasons already available to watch it’s definitely one to binge. 

And for the true-crime junkies there are multiple new true-crime documentaries coming to Netflix this month with focuses ranging from John Wayne Gacy to Marilyn Monroe.

Plus, if your kids are big Netflix fans too, there are plenty of new releases for kids of all ages too – from a new Beyblade release to a new season of CoComelon.

Online courses

If you or the kids have some free time this April why not spend it learning something new? MOOC stands for massive open online courses, and they are a great way to learn new skills no matter your age.

You can find MOOCs in subjects from computer science to humanities to engineering. There really is something for everyone.

MOOC.org is a great way to find free and cheap MOOCS. Udemy also offers a range of coding for kids courses and tutorials.

Virtual museums

On the topic of learning, virtual museum tours are a great option to soak in everything it is you can learn from a museum without the overwhelming stress of planning a whole day trip. 

Google Arts and Culture offers virtual exhibits with pictures and videos from over 2000 museums around the world. It is available on web, IOS and android – making art and culture way more accessible.

The page also features interactive games which allow you to immerse yourself in different cultures whilst also learning and having fun. 

AirBnB online experiences

More commonly known for its wide range of places to stay all over the world, AirBnB also boasts a new way to discover the world from your own home.

AirBnB experiences are live videos sessions allowing you to affordably experience things that otherwise you may not have had access to. It is a great way to soak up cultures from all around the world without having to worry about paying for a plane ticket.

Experiences available range massively! You can take cocktail masterclasses, meditate with a Japanese Buddhist, go on a wildlife safari in South Africa, dive under the sea with a shark expert and even do a haunted mansion escape room. 

Experiences range in prices from around £12 per person to £70 per person, there is something for every price range and every interest, go take a look.

5 new games to look forward to in 2022 #GameGiga

As the first quarter of 2022 comes to an end, it’s great to look forward to what the rest of the year will hold.

There are plenty more games coming this year, on a range of platforms such as Xbox Series X, PS5, Nintendo Switch and PC. So, we’ve decided to put together our top 5 games to look forward to in 2022. With these games, your trusty device, and a GigaFast Pro connection you could be competitively gaming in no time!

Saint’s Row

Saint’s Row is an amazing game series with its latest version set to be released on August 23rd, 2022. The action-packed adventure game will be a reboot of the Saint’s Row series and can be found on last and current-gen consoles as well as PC.

trailer released during Gamescom 2021 shows a new setting, new characters and a whole new scope for the game. The storyline is well thought out and detailed, guaranteed to keep you on your toes.

With single and multi-player versions being announced, make sure your connection is up to scratch – nobody likes a laggy teammate.

Hogwarts Legacy

If you’re a Harry Potter fan, then this one is definitely for you. Set to be released in “holiday” 2022, the console only, open-world RPG will immerse you in Hogwarts before Harry was born. 

This long-awaited game has fans on the edge of their seats just waiting for more details about the game. Developers have been drip-feeding information. Most excitingly, a 14-minute gameplay video which was dropped in March, giving fans an insight into character creation, classes and exploration.

While this game won’t feature any online multiplayer worlds it is still important to have a good connection. Open world RPG games with great graphics are clearly going to have massive file sizes. With a GigaFast Pro connection, you definitely won’t be waiting days to play.

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet

Set to be released in late 2022, the Nintendo switch game is described as an open-world adventure. This release by Pokémon is a follow-on from Pokémon Legends: Arceus, which was also released in January this year (Nintendo are spoiling us!)

Pokémon is a great game for all ages and it is no surprise that their releases are celebrated in the gaming community. Pokémon has announced the three starter Pokémon that you will be able to choose and their website gives a sneak peek into the main characters.

With a while to wait on this one, you have plenty of time to catch up and get a pro connection so you can play, explore and most importantly catch, as seamlessly as possible.

Gotham Knights

Dropping this October on consoles and PC this dynamic and interactive game has all the DC fans excited. Starring Batgirl, Robin, Nightwing and Red Hood the new game promises some very exciting gameplay. 

trailer released during DC FanDome 2021 shows the official court of owls story trailer, further exciting fans with its perfect graphics and gripping storyline. 

Warhammer 40k: Darktide

The long-awaited Warhammer 40,000: Darktide is set to be released on the 13th of September, after being pushed back from the first announcement in 2020 and then 2021. 

With the release date announcement video only being released on March 31st, Darktide is sure to be a long-awaited game.

Keep an eye out on the Xbox Series S and steam for this 4-player co-op that combines adrenaline-inducing combat with a high skill-ceiling meaning you can master your craft and stand out from other players.

Why Price Transparency Is So Important

Over 9 million consumers in the UK are unaware that their broadband bills are set to heighten in the next 2 months according to the latest study by Hyperoptic.  

You may have been with your current provider for several years, comfortable even, with your bill. As customers, changes with your contract can sometimes be the last thing you want to hear about. 

Unfortunately, as the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rate of inflation has increased, 56% of UK broadband providers are having to raise their ‘in contract’ prices. This means your bill may cost up to £10 more than your original monthly fee! 

The price adjustments have been said to start from the 31st of March this year. To find out if your provider is implementing these changes, click here.  

Do not worry, for every problem, there is a solution. 

When new expenses are introduced, it may seem stressful, especially if the added costs are not within your budget.  

Luckily, not every supplier of internet connection is upping their price. At Gigabit Networks, we prioritise being price transparent and consistent. 

We know that every person has a budget they can meet and sustain. So, when you use our internet services, there are no unexpected changes you need to look out for.  

Your contract price, no matter the deal you choose will remain fixed. From the start of your contract to its end, there are no adjustments made.  

The same consistency even applies to our contract period. All our customers are given an 18-month contract package. It is the perfect middle ground- not too long or too short for you to figure out if Gigabit broadband is the right one for you.   

Not only do we value your price concerns, but which internet services meet your needs best.  

Read our previous blog here to find out which products we offer and see if it suits your household.  

Are you ‘out of contract’? 

In December 2021, a study by Ofcom also discovered that more than 22 million broadband customers are out of contract.  

What does this mean? 

Your initial contract period has finished and as a result, you might be paying much more for your service than you need to.   

From the 15th of February, all network providers are required to notify their customers when their contract ends. If you are already aware that you are out of contract, now is the perfect time to scour the best deals for you so you can save money.  

Affordable and reliable internet connectivity 

Gigabit Networks offers home broadband starting at £49 a month. You can head over to our website now to select the package you want and check if we are in your area here.  

To stay updated on more connectivity tips, information, and giveaways we have coming follow us on our socials (see buttons below). 

We use PureFibre internet connection – broadband that is not only ultrafast but ultra-reliable.  

Never accept changes that aren’t benefitting you.  

Choosing The Right Product For You

Are you thinking of switching to Gigabit home broadband?

Sometimes switching can be a stressful process. You might have transferred before and felt disappointed after realising the broadband package you ordered did not satisfy all your needs.

Instead, you were dealing with:

  • Slow speeds when you have been promised fast connectivity.
  • Price changes in your contract and its way above what it started as.
  • Constant outages at critical times during your day.

We know all these things make it difficult to trust and find the network that best suits you and your household.

In the last two years, the number of people switching their network providers has surged with more of us working from home. See here for the full figures.

Home broadband is an essential system we all need to function in the fast-paced technological world we live in. Which is why, switching providers should never be a hassle but rather an exciting, stress-free venture to a better and more reliable broadband.

At Gigabit we want to be your final resolution.

For home broadband users we offer two products: GigaFast Home and  GigaFast Pro.

There are no price changes in your fixed contract no matter what product you choose. With other bills to think about we make sure your broadband is the last thing, you have to worry about.

Both of our products use Pure Fibre, which you may be wondering what it that and how does it work?

Pure Fibre, also known as Full Fibre, is the fastest form of internet. Through fibre optic cables, Pure Fibre transfers connection at lightning-fast speeds directly to your home.

Slow download speeds and buffering are no longer on your list of concerns or unfilled needs. Gigabit Networks supply speeds up to 20 times faster than the UK average to give you ease when you are working from home, face-timing family or friends and even enjoying a movie night in.

So, which product is the one for you?

GigaFast Home is well-suited for small households looking to have reliable internet service on a day-to-day basis. Only £49 per month over an 18-month contract, you can have 930Mbps download speeds and 100Mbps uploads.  This means, up to 10 internet-connected devices can enjoy faster regular downloads and HD streaming.

For larger households, homeworkers, and gamers, we recommend GigaFast Pro. Same download speeds but higher upload speeds to match the bandwidths you need to do more. With more than 10 device allowance, everyone at home can stream and stay productive. Priced at a monthly fee of £69 for 18 months, GigaFast Pro is the ultra-fast and ultra-reliable internet for tech-savvy and bandwidth-crazy users.

Switching with ease

Even though our up-time key is 99.9% across all our services, we make sure from the day of your installation to your last contracted day, you can count on us. If anything seems unusual, our guarantee next business day response will ensure any queries you have are answered and resolved.

To select your ideal product and switch to Gigabit Networks use our postcode checker now and see if we are in your area! Still unsure? Take our quick and easy quiz to find out which home broadband package your need.