(855) 771-3154How Good Is Satellite Internet for Gaming
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Online gaming is one of the fastest-growing forms of entertainment in the U.S. It is expected to reach around 229.58 million users by 2029. This increase in the demand for gaming comes hand in hand with a stable and reliable internet connection. Since gaming requires a higher level of network consistency, lower latency, and faster speed, users prefer a fiber or cable internet connection as their first choice. However, a good fraction of US households only have access to satellite internet.
So, if you are a satellite internet user with the ambition to take over the gaming world, you’re in the right place.
This guide explores whether the satellite is good for gaming and offers optimization tips for a better gaming experience. We’ve listed some of the best satellite internet options to help you pick the best option. Let’s dive in!
Top Satellite Internet Options for Gaming
1Speeds are "up to," are not guaranteed and will vary.
2If your data usage is trending to exceed the "typical usage" of a residential user on our network, you may have reduced priority during times of network congestion resulting in slower speeds. Typical usage currently means usage trending to not exceed 850 GBs in any 30-day period. The typical usage amount will vary based on network demands. Please visit www.viasat.com/legal for more details.
3Standard Data may be slower than other traffic during high-traffic periods.
4Hughesnet plans come with unlimited Standard Data, but a set amount of Priority Data
Can Satellite Internet Support Online Gaming?
A typical satellite internet may not be the best choice for live-action multiplayer gaming. However, if you’re looking to play basic online games like board games, card games, or turn-based sports games like golf or bowling, your satellite internet connection would do pretty well.
Satellite internet uses radio signals to transfer data to and from satellites in outer space and dish on Earth, unlike a wired connection that delivers data through cable networks. As a result, satellite internet offers slower speeds compared to cabled connections. That is why the best internet providers for gaming tend to provide cable and fiber options.
On that note, let’s explore the key factors that may affect your gaming experience with a satellite connection.
Lower Latency
Latency, or ping rate, refers to the time it takes for a set of data to travel from your device to a designated server and back. The higher the latency, the more time you will have to wait for your online action to be completed. Online gaming requires back-and-forth action, and latency plays a great role in making your gameplay feel seamless.
If you have a high latency, you may be taking actions long before they are depicted in the game. Imagine you aimed at your opponent for a gunshot, but they have already moved from that position. Your high-latency internet just tricked you into wasting your bullets!
A latency of under 50 milliseconds is considered decent for smooth and responsive gaming. Unfortunately, satellite internet offers high latency, ranging from 500 to 800 milliseconds, which is one of the reasons it is not suitable for live-action multiplayer gaming. However, as discussed above, satellite internet supports turn-based games or casual gaming pretty well.
How To Improve the Latency of Your Satellite Internet Connection?
Don’t let your satellite internet stop you from enjoying good gameplay. You can try out some of these simple tips to help improve your ping rate.
- Reduce the load on your connection – while you’re playing, make sure any extra tabs or background apps are closed and disconnect devices not in use. Focus your internet bandwidth entirely on your game!
- Connect to the Ethernet cable – instead of using your internet through a wireless connection, connect your console of devices directly to the internet via an Ethernet cable for best results.
- Restart your router – try restarting your router to improve connectivity. Restarting your router helps refocus the bandwidth to your desired device.
Internet Speed
According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), you need a minimum of 4 Mbps internet speed for online gaming. While 4 Mbps may not be enough for all types of gaming, it is nevertheless enough speed to enjoy casual and competitive gaming.
The best part is, both Hughesnet and Viasat, the leading satellite internet providers in the country offer speeds of up to 100 and 150 Mbps, respectively.
| Type of Game | Minimum Download Speed | Minimum Upload Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Casual Gaming | 3 Mbps | 1 Mbps |
| Competitive Gaming | 5 Mbps | 3 Mbps |
How To Improve the Speed of Your Satellite Internet?
While it is important for online gaming, internet speed alone cannot guarantee smooth online gaming. As discussed above, latency plays a major role in delivering lag-free gameplay. To improve your gaming experience and manage your internet speed, try improving your latency, and most importantly, managing your data limits. However, if speed really is the main issue, try the following:
- Change the location of your satellite internet router – signals may be getting blocked by objects in your house. Try multiple locations and find the best spot.
- Upgrade your router – an outdated router may be the reason why you are experiencing slower speeds. Try switching to an advanced router.
- Test your internet speed – check if your provider is delivering the promised speeds by taking a speed test. If not, it may be time to change your internet provider.
Data Caps
Satellite internet’s data caps are slightly more complicated than other connection types. While providers like Hughesnet and Viasat advertise unlimited data, your speed may drop after you use a set priority data. Priority data refers to the prioritization of your data over others, ensuring high speeds during times of network congestion. Once your set limit is exceeded, you may experience throttling speed.
How To Manage Your Set Priority Data?
To make the most of your connection, indulge in intensive gaming when you have sufficient priority data at the beginning of your billing cycle and switch to casual or light gaming when you feel your speeds have started to throttle. You can also set your games to a lower resolution to use less data and download heavy games when you have more priority data.
To help manage your priority data, use a data monitoring tool to keep a check on how much data you have used and how much is remaining.
Gaming On a Satellite Internet Connection
While gaming on satellite internet may not be ideal, it is the only option for many rural internet users. However, it can run some slower-paced games and others that don’t rely on fast reflexes. And hey, using satellite internet is like reaching out to the stars for help, it may pretty well turn out to be magical!
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