- Internet
Fiber Luxembourg: what internet speed do you really need?
Today, everything happens online: video meetings, online gaming, 4K streaming and even smart homes. But what speed should you choose ...
In Luxembourg, most households have very high-speed broadband access. However, even with a Luxembourg fibre or cable (coaxial) connection, slowdowns can occur when gaming or videoconferencing. At Eltrona, our HFC network (fibre to the neighbourhood + cable for the last few metres) delivers performance comparable to fibre to the home for real-world uses. Problems often arise from avoidable errors in installation or settings. Here are 5 pitfalls to avoid in order to get the most out of your connection.
Fibre vs cable at Eltrona: what really matters
- HFC architecture: fibre optic cable to your home, then coaxial cable inside the home.
- User experience: Gigabit speeds and optimised latency suitable for cloud gaming, 4K/8K streaming and remote working.
- Continuous evolution: first hybrid coax/fibre networks being deployed, latest generation modem/router equipment.
- Conclusion: regardless of the final medium (fibre or cable), your experience depends mainly on your home installation, Wi-Fi and settings.
Tip: for a personalised diagnosis, start by testing my speed, then check your equipment and the position of your router.
Mistake No. 1: Confusing theoretical speed with actual throughput
Why is this a problem?
The advertised speeds (up to 1 Gbit/s) are measured in the laboratory. In real life, the actual speed depends on multiple factors. The Luxembourg Regulatory Institute (ILR) still reports an average difference of 17% between promised and measured speeds in 2024.
How to correct it
- Run a test using the official Test My Speed tool to compare your results.
- Measure using Ethernet, modem only, without VPN or active downloads.
- Note the time; evening peak loads may reduce throughput.
Good to know: on a modern HFC network, an Ethernet test better reflects actual capabilities than a Wi-Fi test.
Mistake #2: Neglecting your home network setup
Symptoms: Wi-Fi dead zones, videos that buffer
Wi-Fi 5 quickly reaches its limit if your router is enclosed in a cabinet or surrounded by obstacles (concrete, metal, mirrors).
Home remedies
- Position your router high up and in the centre of the property.
- Opt for a mesh network if your home is larger than 120 m² (Eltrona PDF guide available in the Docs section).
- Switch to the 5 GHz band for consoles and desktop PCs.
Mistake #3: Using outdated equipment
A Wi-Fi 4 router is limited to 300 Mbit/s even on fibre. Check that your modem supports Wi-Fi 6 and VLANs up to 1 Gbit/s. The GiGA Internet offer includes a future-proof Wi-Fi 6E modem.
Gaming tip: connect your console or PC to Cat 6a Ethernet to reduce latency from 20 ms to less than 5 ms on fibre in Luxembourg. A recent cable modem/router and a Wi-Fi 6/6E router are essential to take full advantage of Gigabit speeds, whether your final access is fibre or coaxial.
Mistake #4: Allowing applications and connected devices to monopolise bandwidth
In 2025, a Luxembourg household will use an average of 15 connected devices; an automatic download of 80 GB can saturate the upload and freeze your video conference.
Parade
- Enable system update scheduling at night.
- Prioritise video conferencing and gaming via QoS in the router interface.
- Switch IP cameras to hibernation mode if you are streaming in 4K.
Mistake #5: Ignoring interference and latency on the gaming side
Even with very high-speed fibre or cable, a ping > 40 ms degrades the experience. Wi-Fi quality, radio noise and QoS prioritisation often carry more weight than the medium (fibre/coax). Interference often comes from:
- Bluetooth, microwaves, baby monitors (2.4 GHz)
- Poorly shielded Ethernet cables
Targeted optimisations
- Switch your wireless devices to 5 GHz or 6 GHz.
- Disable unnecessary UPnP to limit phantom packets.
- Test your latency on Luxembourg's fastest connection using the nPerf comparison tool.
By correcting these five mistakes, you can unleash the full power of your Eltrona high-speed broadband connection. Our HFC network combines fibre and cable to deliver Gigabit speeds and controlled latency on a daily basis. Need help? Our experts will optimise your home installation and guide you towards the most suitable GiGA Internet package.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is fibre always faster than ADSL?
Yes: download speeds are up to 10 times faster and latency is reduced by two-thirds.
What is the minimum speed required for video conferencing?
Allow for 25 Mbit/s symmetrical for 4K and screen sharing.
How can I measure my latency for gaming?
Use a ping test from a Luxembourg server and aim for < 20 ms.
Will Wi-Fi 6E improve my network?
Yes: it adds the less congested 6 GHz band, which is ideal for VR and cloud gaming.
Is Eltrona fibre or cable?
Both. We operate an HFC network: fibre to your neighbourhood and cable (coaxial) for the last few metres. For your uses (gaming, videoconferencing, 4K streaming), the perceived performance is comparable, provided you have a recent modem/router, well-configured Wi-Fi and quality Ethernet cabling.
