Is Satellite Internet Good for Gaming? Our Analysis

If you love gaming and live far from cities, you might wonder if satellite internet works for gaming. Surprisingly¹, Starlink, a top satellite internet service, offers speeds from 50Mbps to 200Mbps. This covers almost every corner of the globe. With over 2,500 satellites in space¹ and half a million users, Starlink aims for latency of 20 to 40 milliseconds. However, this can sometimes reach 50ms or even 100ms.

This latency is a bit higher than the 40ms or less needed for online gaming². Yet, it might still work well for many games.

Key Takeaways

• Satellite internet can offer high-speed connectivity in remote areas, but latency is a key factor to consider for gaming.
• Starlink, a leading satellite internet provider, promises latency between 20-40ms, which may be suitable for many games but not the most competitive or real-time titles.
• Satellite internet’s upload speeds tend to be lower than fiber or cable, which can impact certain gaming experiences.
• Satellite internet can be a viable option for casual gaming, but serious gamers may prefer wired connections like fiber or cable for the best performance.
• Weather conditions and signal disruptions can occasionally impact the reliability of satellite internet for gaming.

What Is Satellite Internet and Can You Game With It?

Satellite internet uses satellites in space to connect to the internet. It’s great for areas far from main internet hubs³. In the US, HughesNet, Viasat, and Starlink are the top providers³. It offers speeds from 12 to over 100 Mbps³. But, its high latency can be a problem for gamers.

Understanding Satellite Internet

Satellite internet connects through a dish to a satellite in space. The satellite sends data back and forth. This causes a delay in the signal because of the distance⁴.

For competitive gaming, low latency is key. Skilled players need less than 100 ms latency⁴. Satellite internet, however, has latencies of 100 ms or more³. This makes it tough for fast games.

The Possibility of Gaming with Satellite Internet

Despite the latency, you can still game with satellite internet⁵. Providers like Viasat, Starlink, and HughesNet offer speeds from 25 to 150 Mbps⁵. Games that don’t need fast reflexes can work well with satellite internet⁴.

Casual games, needing less than 1 Mbps and latencies of 500 to 1,000 ms, are also good options⁴. Whether satellite internet is good for gaming depends on the game and your patience with latency. It’s not perfect for fast games but works for many others.

What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Satellite Internet for Gaming?

Exploring satellite internet for gaming shows both good and bad sides. It’s a good option for those in rural areas without regular internet. But, gamers need to think about the downsides.

Advantages

Satellite internet is reliable. It’s less affected by local problems or natural disasters⁶. For example, Starlink helped 45,000 people stay connected during Hurricane Ian in 2022⁶.

It’s also good for remote areas where other internet options are rare⁶. In fact, 97% of rural areas only have satellite internet because of limited cable or fiber-optic options⁶.

Disadvantages

Despite its benefits, satellite internet has some gaming drawbacks⁶. Its latency, or delay, is often higher than other internet types. This can hurt real-time gaming⁶.

It also has slower speeds than cable or fiber-optic, which is bad for streaming and gaming⁷. Satellite internet plans often have data limits, from 10GB to 150GB, which can limit online activities⁶. Plus, it can be pricier than wired internet, making it less affordable for some⁷.

In summary, satellite internet is a good choice for gaming in areas with little broadband. But, it has issues with latency, speed, and data limits. Gamers should weigh these points before deciding⁶⁷.

is satellite internet good for gaming

Satellite internet has its ups and downs for gaming. The main issue is latency, or how long it takes for data to go from your device to the game server and back. Satellite internet usually has higher latency than regular internet⁸.

Latency for satellite internet can be between 450 to 700 milliseconds⁸. This is much higher than the 20 to 40 milliseconds you get with cable or fiber optic internet⁸. For fast games like first-person shooters, this high latency can really hurt your gaming experience⁸.

But, not all games are affected the same way. Games that don’t need quick reactions, like real-time strategy or role-playing games, can still be fun on satellite internet⁹. Games like Stardew Valley or World of Warcraft might be good choices for satellite gamers⁸.

Internet speed is also key for gaming. Games that are more intense need faster speeds, up to 500 Mbps⁹. Satellite providers like Viasat and HughesNet offer speeds up to 100 Mbps¹⁰.

So, is satellite internet good for gaming? It depends on the games you play and how much latency you can handle. For casual games, satellite internet might work. But for fast-paced games, the high latency can make gaming tough⁸⁹.

Conclusion

Satellite internet can be a good choice for gaming, especially in places with no other fast internet. It offers fast speeds in rural areas but has some downsides. These include higher latency¹¹¹² and lower data limits compared to other internet types¹¹¹².

It’s important to pick games that don’t need super-fast internet. Games like real-time strategy, sandbox, and role-playing are good choices. Make sure your satellite internet plan has enough speed for your gaming needs¹².

By knowing what satellite internet can do, gamers can decide if it’s right for them. While it’s not the best for everyone, it can still offer a good gaming experience. Satellite internet can work well if users understand its limits and choose the right plan.

Source Links

1. Is Starlink Good for Gaming? We Put SpaceX’s Satellite Service to the Test – https://www.pcmag.com/news/is-starlink-good-for-gaming-we-put-spacexs-satellite-service-to-the-test
2. The Best Internet for Gaming in 2024 – CNET – https://www.cnet.com/home/internet/best-internet-providers-for-gaming/
3. What’s the Best Satellite Internet for Gaming? – SmartMove – https://www.smartmove.us/learn/internet-tips/what-s-the-best-satellite-internet-for-gaming
4. The Best Satellite Internet For Gaming – https://broadbandnow.com/guides/satellite-internet-for-gaming
5. Your Guide to Gaming with Satellite Internet | SatelliteInternet.com – https://www.satelliteinternet.com/resources/gaming-on-satellite-internet/
6. Pros and Cons of Satellite Internet Service | SatelliteInternet.com – https://www.satelliteinternet.com/resources/satellite-internet-pros-and-cons/
7. What Is Satellite Internet? Pros, Cons, and Terminology | BroadbandNow.com – https://broadbandnow.com/guides/satellite-internet-pros-and-cons
8. Best Satellite Internet for Gaming – https://www.highspeedoptions.com/resources/insights/best-satellite-internet-gaming
9. Can You Game With Satellite Internet? | Konnect UK – https://europe.konnect.com/en-GB/satellite-internet-technology/satellite-internet-for-gaming
10. Best Satellite Internet for Gaming Online – https://ispreports.org/best-satellite-internet-for-gaming-online/
11. Best Internet for Gaming in Rural Areas: What Every Gamer Needs to Know – Race Communications – https://race.com/blog/best-internet-for-gaming-in-rural-areas/
12. Can You Game on Satellite Internet? – https://www.reviews.org/internet-service/gaming-on-satellite-internet/