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Many online gamers dream of the ideal setup—large screens, fast CPUs, and comfy chairs. However, a satellite internet connection likely isn’t part of that dream.
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While download speeds matter less, satellite internet significantly challenges online gaming.
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If you use satellite internet, don’t worry. We will guide you through how online gaming works with satellite connections.
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Starlink: Best Satellite Internet for Gaming
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Starlink provides the best satellite internet for gaming. It uses low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, while other providers rely on satellites farther away.
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The design improves speed and reduces delay. New LEO networks are in progress, but Starlink remains the only choice.
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- Price: $110.00/month
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- Speed: 50–250 Mbps
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Pros:
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- Lowest satellite latency
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- Fastest satellite download speeds
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Cons:
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- Higher latency than wired connections
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- Long wait times for equipment
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Top Satellite Internet Companies
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| Company | Speed | Cost | Data Limit |
| Viasat | 12-150 Mbps | $69.99-$149.99/month* | Unlimited |
| HughesNet | 50-100 Mbps | $49.99-$94.99/month for 12 months† | Unlimited |
| Starlink | 50-250 Mbps | $110.00/month‡ | No Limit |
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How Fast Should Your Internet Be for Gaming?
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Many gamers buy expensive computers, but online gaming needs only around 3 Mbps to download and 1 Mbps to upload. Both PC and console games work with these speeds. Gaming does not require fast internet.
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You might wonder, “If even the slowest satellite plans offer more speed, why aren’t they good for gaming?”
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Good question. Online games don’t need much bandwidth but require low latency and a stable connection—satellite internet struggles in both areas.
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Latency
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The biggest problem with satellite gaming is latency. Latency is the time it takes for data to travel from your device to the game server and back. It’s also called ping. You can check latency by sending a “ping” and measuring how long it takes to return.
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High latency causes lag. If your actions reach the server a fraction of a second late, your game may feel unresponsive, or you might disconnect.
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Latency depends on distance. Playing on a distant server increases lag. With satellite internet, data must travel an extra 44,472 miles, making fast-paced games nearly unplayable.
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LEO satellites like Starlink help by reducing this distance to about 700 miles. It’s still not ideal for gaming, but it works better than traditional satellite internet.
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Hughesnet Fusion also reduces latency by using both satellite and terrestrial wireless networks. When gaming, it switches to a wireless network to avoid satellite lag.
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Stability
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A stable connection is also essential. A 5 Mbps connection is enough, but gaming may not work well if speeds drop below 3 Mbps.
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Satellite internet can also be affected by weather. Unlike fiber, rain or snow can disrupt satellite signals.
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A faster plan helps by providing a buffer above the minimum speed needed. Hughesnet Fusion improves stability by switching to a second network when required.
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Satellite internet struggles with fast online games. Multiplayer games like Fortnite or Call of Duty do not work well on standard satellite connections. If you want to play them, Starlink is the only real choice.
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However, many multiplayer games run on geostationary satellite networks like Viasat and Hughesnet. These games are usually turn-based. Civilization is a well-known example, but other genres also work.
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- Board games: Many board games, like chess and Risk, have online versions that need very little internet speed.
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- Turn-based strategy: Games such as Civilization VI and Stellaris are modern and complex but do not require quick reactions. A slight internet delay is unnoticeable, though taking too long to decide might annoy opponents.
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- Turn-based tactics: For those who enjoy combat challenges, tactical games like Wargroove and Mordheim: City of the Damned are great options.
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- Digital collectible card games: Competitive card games like Hearthstone and Magic the Gathering: Arena do not need fast reflexes or a high-speed connection, making them suitable for satellite internet.
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- Sports games: FIFA 22 is not playable online with satellite, but some sports games, like golf, are naturally turn-based. Internet needs vary, but turn-based versions of golf, bowling, and football games exist.
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Data Limits and Downloads
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Satellite and wireless internet have a big problem: limited data. Many companies set data limits, even for wired internet, but satellite limits are stricter.
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Online gaming does not use much data, but downloading games from stores like Steam can be difficult.
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Tip: Buying a physical copy from a store can reduce download size, but not always. Many discs today only contain a code that downloads the game from Steam.
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Downloading one game might use up your entire monthly data. Be mindful of when and how you download.
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Some satellite providers offer extra data during late-night or off-peak hours, which can help with downloads and updates. Turning off automatic updates can also save data for essential downloads.
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Other Rural Gaming Choices
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If gaming is essential when choosing an internet service, any option works better than satellite. Finding a fiber provider near Highway 40 past mile marker nine may be complex, but some alternatives still exist.
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DSL
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DSL remains one of the most common wired internet services, working in most areas with phone lines. The speed does not stand out, making it less ideal for many online tasks.
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However, gaming does not require high speeds. More importantly, DSL offers much lower latency than satellite, making it a more substantial option.
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4G LTE Home Internet
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4G LTE home internet connects through cellular signals, reaching most locations with a strong cell signal.
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Wireless connections often face issues like data limits and weather interference. However, avoiding the need to send signals to space keeps its latency much lower than that of a satellite.
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Fixed Wireless
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Fixed wireless internet often serves rural areas where installing cables creates challenges. Some suburban neighborhoods without major providers also have access to it.
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4G LTE and 5G mobile networks use similar technology. However, fixed wireless towers focus on internet service, allowing them to deliver faster and more stable connections.
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