As you know, the long-awaited Game Streaming service Project xCloud will come in two "flavors": there will be the ability to stream games directly from Microsoft's Azure servers, on commercial terms not yet known, but you will also be able to use your Xbox One for free as a streaming server for games installed to your device (phone, tablet or PC) anywhere in the world connected via wi-fi or cellular data network (we are not talking about streaming on the local network, which has already existed on Xbox).

This service, known simply as Xbox Console Streaming,will require our home network to be able to support the data stream needed to stream games; until now we didn't know what these requirements were, but ahead of the Beta that will start in a few days in selected territories,Microsoft has finally announced them.

We then find that, in order to work, the Xbox Console Streaming system will require a connection that has a bandwidth of at least 4.75 Mbps in upload (it is referred to the actual upload value that sites like Speedtestprovide you), but to work at best they are required by the 9 Mbps and up. It will then be imperative to have at least one Moderate NAT,even if the best results will be with an Open NAT,and it will also be mandatory to have at least a network latency (ping) of 125 ms,even if a latency of 60 ms or less is recommended.

In addition, port 3074 must not be blocked and correctly routed to our console, and the console itself must be in"Quick Launch"mode so that it can "wake up" when we request to start streaming from a remote location. Finally, Microsoft recommends that the console have a cable connection to the router: it's not mandatory, but wi-fi connections can be interfered with and create other problems that would interfere with a good streaming experience.

If you are interested in this feature then start to verify that you are in compliance with the requirements of the service, which we remind you are valid only if you want to stream from your console at home; in the meantime, let's wait to know when the Service Beta will be testable by us as well.