For gamers, having a slow internet is a real nightmare. No matter the game you’re playing — PUBG, Valorant, Call of Duty, or even Roblox, having a slow internet connection while playing is frustrating and can really spoil your mood. While we have all these types of internet like fiber and cable, there’s one type that has long had a bad reputation among gamers because of latency. In most online games, it’s very important to have low latency because any delay can make the difference between winning and losing.
But, is satellite internet really that bad for gaming? Let’s figure it out together!
Why Is Satellite Internet’s Latency High?
The main reason satellite internet has high latency is because of the long-distance data that has to travel. When you use satellite internet, your data has to go up to a satellite orbiting thousands of miles above the Earth then come back down to a ground station, and then to the game server. All of that happens again in reverse to get a response back to you. However, right now, we have these so-called Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites to reduce this issue. These satellites are much closer to Earth so data doesn’t have to travel as far.
Aside from gaming, there are also online activities that are affected by high latency, such as online TV streaming. For this instance, you’ll experience buffering and lower video quality, which in return will give you a poor viewing experience. That’s why it’s important to have a fast internet connection with low latency.
Is Satellite Internet Good for Gaming?
It depends on the kind of gaming you do. If you’re a casual gamer who enjoys games that are not bandwidth-intensive, satellite internet is a good choice. However, if you’re into fast-paced games like Valorant, Apex Legends, DOTA, Call of Duty, and the like, it may depend on your satellite internet provider and their coverage in your area.
Some internet providers have better coverage in some areas than others, so that’s also an important consideration that you have to keep in mind when choosing an internet provider. It’s similar to how you choose your mobile plan. For example, you’re going through Boost Infinite deals and comparing it to other providers’ plans. You must also check if that certain provider has good coverage in your area.
Should You Get Satellite Internet for Gaming?
The best internet for gaming is fiber internet. However, satellite internet is also a decent choice for gaming. Although reliability and speed may depend on your chosen provider, it can still provide a decent connection for gaming. Satellite technology is constantly being developed and improved, and compared to the quality of satellite connection before, it has come a long way already.
Sure, there is still a lot of room for improvement given that it is still far from the quality fiber and cable internet can provide but the gap is slowly closing. These newer technologies address the issues users face with satellite connection. That said, we can see that the future is bright for satellite internet users.
The Bottom Line
So, should you get satellite internet for gaming? Yes! While it’s not the best internet type for gaming, it can still provide decent speeds for your gaming needs. It can be unstable at times due to the weather or network congestion, but it happens to every type of internet, so that’s totally normal. If you currently have satellite internet and have tried it before, do let us know about your experience firsthand.
