Satellite internet is becoming a popular network option for people living in remote areas with no internet cables or towers. But thankfully, it is now possible to provide internet access to anyone in this world via Low Earth Orbit (LEO) services like Starlink.
Yet, now that satellite internet can be used anywhere on Earth, many gamers still complain about its high latency and occasional signal drop. And for gamers, even a brief drop in signal can be frustrating.
However, with modern satellite technology, certain types of games have become feasible (as long as you know what to expect). In this blog post, we’ll explore whether it’s possible to play games on satellite internet without lag.
As a gamer, this will help you decide whether to set up a satellite internet connection or stick with a traditional one.
Satellite Internet and High Latency
If you have read or heard about satellite internet, you might have come across the term high latency. Many satellite internet users commonly complain about it.
But why does satellite internet have high latency?
Short Answer – Due to the long travel distance.
Satellite internet works by transmitting your data from a ground station to the satellite orbiting Earth. Once the data reaches the satellite, it processes the request and sends it back to the network station on the ground connected to the internet. Lastly, the data moves from the ground network station to your game server.
The prolonged travel of data is the primary culprit behind the high latency on satellite internet. This prolonged travel affects both the download speed and the upload speed.
And do you know where this all leads to? Poor lag during gaming.
For your convenience:
- Latency: The time it takes for data to travel from your device to the game server and back.
- Download Speed: How quickly you can receive data.
- Upload Speed: How quickly you can send data.
Typical latency ranges:
- Geostationary satellites (35,786 km away): 500–600 ms.
- Low-earth orbit satellites (550–1,200 km away): 20–50 ms.
How Lag Affects Online Gaming?
Delay is among the key causes of lag in online gaming, even if it’s in milliseconds. Such a small time might not matter for online browsing, but in online gaming, it matters a lot.
For your understanding:
- High latency: You press shoot, and the game registers it half a second later. It becomes too late for a fast-paced battle.
- Jitter: The delay keeps changing, making your character’s movement stutter.
- Packet loss: Some of your actions never reach the server, making your gameplay feel broken.
As an example, if you are playing Call of Duty, a delay of a millisecond can make enemies pop in and out on your screen. This will make it difficult for you to aim at them.
Such a lag in competitive online games can mean the difference between victory and defeat.
So, Is It Possible to Play Games on Satellite Internet Without Lag?
Well, it depends on the type of satellite internet connection you have and the type of game you are playing or want to play.
Usually, there are two types of satellite internet connections used today. One is geostationary satellite internet (e.g., HughesNet) and the other is LEO satellite (e.g., Starlink).
The geostationary satellites have higher latency and ping times compared to LEO satellites. As we mentioned earlier, LEO satellites’ latency ranges between 20 and 50ms. This range is relatively close to a fiber internet connection.
If you’re looking to play online games or enjoy cloud gaming, LEO satellite offers a lag-free experience. However, they are more costly than geostationary and traditional internet connections.
Still, if you have a LEO satellite internet connection or want to have one, it is always good to test it before you game.
Quick Test Before You Game
If you’re passionate about gaming and use satellite internet, test the connection before going online. Especially if participating in a gaming event/competition.
To test the efficiency of your satellite internet connection, simply open a browser and visit Wifispeed.io. As you land on it, simply click the “Go” button and wait for the test results to appear. The tool will show you Ping, Jitter, Download Speed, and Upload Speed.
If you want to have a smooth online gaming experience, aim for at least:
- Ping: Under 80 ms for casual, under 40 ms for competitive.
- Download: At least 10 Mbps.
- Upload: At least 2 Mbps.
If you run a gaming cafe and frequently need to test the internet speed, consider installing an internet speed test app on your smartphone. So whenever you need to, you can test your satellite internet speed right away.
If your satellite internet connection fails to meet the minimum values we shared above, consider removing the load from your ion. Check if there’s any video streaming or other unnecessary online activity happening. After doing this test, recheck the connection speed. This might resolve the issue.
If the issue persists, consider switching to a better connection, such as a fiber internet cable.
Satellite internet is making it easier to provide network connectivity in remote and rural areas where traditional internet connections are challenging. In cases where consistent internet connectivity is needed, geostationary satellites like HughesNet can provide a reliable option. But they do offer high latency and slow speed.
However, if you want to have extreme online (real-time) experiences, such as cloud gaming, go for internet connections based on LEO satellites. They offer low latency and fast internet speeds, providing a lag-free gaming experience.