Hey there, rural gamer! We know it’s not always smooth sailing when you’re battling it out in League of Legends or building complex structures in Minecraft. Finding the best internet for gaming in rural areas can sometimes feel like an impossible quest.

And that’s precisely why we’re here. We understand it’s incredibly frustrating when you’re moments away from a victory only to be let down by lag.

This blog will help you better understand what good internet means and how to make the most of it in a rural area. Together, we’ll ensure that your internet connection is no longer the villain in your gaming story. So, let’s gear up and dive in!

Understanding Internet Basics for Gamers

Before we venture deep into the gaming realm, let’s talk about some basic internet and WiFi terms. What does the best internet for gaming in rural areas look like?

Latency, download/upload speeds, and data caps are the nuts and bolts of your gaming experience. They’re the unsung heroes (or villains) that can make or break your game night. Learn about them below.

Latency

Latency is the response time between when you press a button and when the game reacts. In a perfect world, this is instantaneous. But in the real world, especially in rural areas, the game might take a while to respond. That means you’re experiencing high latency, which causes lag. Learn more about latency in our recent blog post.

Download & Upload Speeds

Download speed is how quickly you can pull data from the server, and upload speed is how fast you can send data to the server. Ever experienced a painfully slow Fortnite update? That’s your download speed at work. On the other hand, if you want to stream yourself gaming and your internet keeps dropping, you’re likely experiencing slow upload speeds.

Data Caps

Lastly, we have data caps. They’re the limit on how much data you can use in a month. Ever got a message from your ISP saying you’ve used up your data? That’s the data cap showing its ugly face.

Luckily, many internet plans now come without data caps. With unlimited data, you can build, explore, and play as much as you want without worrying about hitting a data wall.

Which is the Best Internet for Gaming in Rural Areas?

Navigating internet connectivity can be tricky, especially when looking for the best internet for gaming in rural areas. Each internet type, be it DSL, fixed wireless, satellite, or fiber, has its own pros and cons that can influence your gaming experience. Dive into the details below to understand these types better and find the one that suits your gaming needs the most.

DSL Internet

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) is an internet connection that transmits data over the copper wires of a local telephone network.

Pros:

Wide availability: DSL is often available even in rural areas due to the widespread existence of telephone lines.
Dedicated connection: Unlike some other types, your DSL connection is not shared with your neighbors, which can lead to more consistent speeds during peak usage times.

Cons:

Varying speeds: The speed of a DSL connection can vary based on your distance from the service provider’s hub. The further you are, the slower the speeds.
Limited bandwidth: While sufficient for general internet use and some online gaming, the bandwidth offered by DSL may not meet the needs of heavy-duty gamers or large households with multiple users.

Fixed Wireless Internet

Fixed wireless internet provides an internet connection through radio signals. An antenna installed at your location receives the signal from a nearby base station.

Pros:

Good alternative: Fixed wireless can be a viable internet option where cable, DSL, and fiber are unavailable.
Decent speeds: While slower than fiber, fixed wireless can still provide speeds sufficient for online gaming, streaming, and more.
High-performance connection: Fixed wireless internet provides an uncontended connection, meaning you’re not sharing your bandwidth with neighbors.

Cons:

Weather dependence: Like satellite, fixed wireless can be affected by severe weather, disrupting the signal.
More expensive than traditional connections: Fixed wireless can provide a quality internet connection, but it’s not the cheapest option.

Satellite Internet

Satellite internet is widely available, even in the most remote rural areas. It works by bouncing signals from your ISP’s hub to a satellite in space and then back to a dish installed at your location.

Pros:

Wide availability: Unlike DSL, cable, and fiber, satellite internet doesn’t rely on physical infrastructure, so it’s available almost anywhere, including remote rural areas.
Decent speeds: Satellite internet can provide speeds sufficient for general browsing, streaming, and some online gaming.

Cons:

High latency: Due to the distance signals must travel to and from space, satellite internet often has high latency, impacting real-time online gaming.
Weather dependence: Bad weather can damage signal quality, leading to slower speeds or service interruptions.
Data caps: Many satellite internet plans have data caps, which can limit your gaming time.

Fiber Internet

Fiber internet uses thin strands of glass to transmit data as pulses of light. It offers the fastest speeds and lowest latency of all internet types. However, its availability is limited in rural areas.

Pros:

High speeds: Fiber provides the fastest download and upload speeds, perfect for heavy-duty gaming, streaming, and more.
Low latency: Fiber’s low latency is ideal for real-time online gaming, where every millisecond counts.
Reliability: Fiber is less susceptible to congestion and weather-related interruptions than other internet types.

Cons:

Limited availability: Fiber’s main drawback is its limited availability, especially in rural areas. Installing fiber-optic networks is expensive and time-consuming, which has slowed its expansion into less densely populated regions.

Currently, many rural areas still don’t have access to fiber internet. However, it’s not impossible to bring fiber to these areas. It requires community-related work, such as rallying local support, petitioning local governments, and working with potential providers.

It’s a big task, but the benefits of fiber internet can make it worthwhile. With the increasing importance of internet connectivity in our lives, more initiatives are underway to expand fiber access to rural areas.

Solutions to Make the Most of Your Rural Internet for Gaming

Even with the best possible rural internet, you can still hit some bumps. But with a few tips and tricks up your sleeve, you can optimize your connection for smoother gaming.

Regularly update your operating system and close any unnecessary background apps to keep it running smoothly.
If your router is older than 5 years, consider buying a new router.
Enabling Quality of Service (QoS) settings can prioritize gaming traffic over other internet activities, such as streaming movies.
Play on a local server. The closer the server, the less lag you’ll experience.
Restrict background apps because less competition for bandwidth means more for your game.
Consider a wired connection, which can be faster, more stable, and more secure than WiFi.

With these tips, you can make the most of your rural internet connection for gaming.

Conclusion

We’ve covered a lot of ground in this quest to uncover the best internet for gaming in rural areas. Let’s recap our main takeaways:

Understanding latency, download/upload speeds, and data caps can help you identify what’s impacting your gaming experience.
DSL, fixed wireless, satellite, and fiber are the main internet types for rural areas, each with its own pros and cons.
DSL and fixed wireless offer sufficient speeds for online gaming but depend on the user’s proximity to the provider’s hub and can be affected by peak usage times.
Satellite internet is available everywhere but can have high latency and be affected by bad weather.
Fiber internet offers the fastest speeds and lowest latency but is currently limited in rural areas due to installation costs and logistical challenges.
Optimizing your gaming experience can involve regular system updates, router upgrades, enabling Quality of Service (QoS) settings, playing on a local server, restricting background apps, and considering a wired connection.

Remember that there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for the best gaming internet in rural areas. Factors like speeds, prices, and connection types available in your area will influence your decision. Remember, shopping for internet is not something you do quite often, so take your time to make an informed decision.

At Race Communications, we provide high-speed fiber internet in urban and rural communities alike. Explore our plans and transform your gaming experience. Until then, game on, and may the internet speed be ever in your favor!