How does satellite internet work?
It relies on orbiting satellites to transmit internet signals. This system proves more expensive than traditional internet yet provides access to rural communities where other options aren’t available.
While the most satellite-dependent ZIP codes cover plenty of territory, they don’t house as many people as you’d think. There are about 2.22 million people or .07 percent of the population living in these areas.
Why do four times that number have satellite internet? Because many people opt for satellite even when other options exist. Part of this may be because satellite internet has recently gotten much faster.
Nonetheless, for players who prefer sports and shooting games, satellite internet still comes with many problems. Read on to learn more about satellite internet and video game functionality.
How Does Satellite Internet Work?
The concept behind satellite internet service is surprisingly simple. Your computer shoots a signal request through your modem out to your satellite dish. Then, your satellite dish transmits the signal on to a provider’s orbiting satellite.
The satellite returns the signal to the provider, and the provider delivers that signal back to the satellite. From there, it travels to your dish, modem, and computer.
Unless you have only one Ethernet connection, your home will also require a router to distribute the resulting Wi-Fi signal through your home.
How Does Satellite Internet Compare to Other Services?
There are two major satellite internet providers to know about: HughesNet and Viasat. They’ve come a long way in recent years. Nonetheless, satellite internet, by its very nature, will feel laggier. There are a handful of reasons for this.
Cable internet relies on shielded coaxial cables. Fiber uses shielded fiber-optic cables, and DSL relies on telephone lines. Learn more about broadband, DSL, and satellite internet performance pros and cons.
These direct connections guard against packet loss (data that’s supposed to be there but doesn’t show up) and interference. They also result in faster speeds, which is essential for gamers who gravitate towards products like Call of Duty, which rely on lightning reflexes.
Satellite internet works well for browsing the web, checking your social media feeds, and catching up on your favorite Netflix shows. But if you’re a gamer who wants to spend most of your time playing sports or in online shootouts, satellite internet may frustrate you.
The sheer distance that satellite signals have to travel increases the likelihood of interference. What’s more, since the signal is less direct, satellite internet tends to have a higher latency.
What Is Latency?
Latency refers to the time it takes for data to transfer from one location to another. Cable, DSL, and fiber internet all have a direct line from the provider’s hub to your house or street. As a result, they have less latency.
Satellite internet, however, must deal with interference because of its lack of a direct connection. The result? Increased latency.
It isn’t that surprising considering the vast trajectory satellite internet signals must cross. They travel upwards of 22,200 miles (36,000 kilometers) through the air to a satellite in a geostationary orbit. Then, they must rush back to your home.
No matter how quickly this information transmits, you still must account for some travel time. The result? Lag.
Satellite Internet Providers and Latency
Today’s satellite internet providers offer faster service than ever before. You can get download speeds ranging from 12 to 100 Mbps. In other words, you can purchase high-speed satellite internet.
That said, when you start downloading photos to Facebook or live-streaming via Twitch, you’ll experience buffering issues and longer wait times. Why? Because satellite advertised speeds don’t reflect latency.
In other words, even if your satellite speeds are equal to those of cable, fiber, or DSL on paper, don’t expect the same performance and speed. Latency will get in the way.
The bottom line remains this. A coaxial cable internet service that offers 100 Mbps will “feel” faster than satellite technology claiming the same 100 Mbps rate because of signal travel time.
Not sure what your internet speeds currently rank? Check out 2020’s best internet speed test sites.
