| Satellite Internet is one of the new technologies | | | | requirements are directly related to the scalability |
| for accessing the Internet. The technology uses a | | | | of the game. If the number of players increases |
| transponder, dish and a modem for uploading and | | | | the bandwidth requirements for the game will be |
| downloading data from a computer to the service | | | | more. Real time games have to maintain |
| providers server. HughesNet is a leading provider | | | | consistency of state. It is important that all |
| of satellite Internet services. Satellite Internet | | | | players have the same view of the car in a racing |
| connectivity is good for data transfer, but it is not | | | | game. This requires high speed, less latency and |
| the ideal choice for online gaming and other real | | | | almost negligible jitters. The bandwidth |
| time applications. Let us find out why. | | | | requirement for an online gaming application is |
| Latency is a factor that causes roadblocks in | | | | calculated as NLu/Tu; where N is the number of |
| Satellite Internet connectivity being used for online | | | | updates that is sent and received in each update |
| gaming. Internet researchers are convinced that | | | | period and Lu is the size of the updates. The |
| at present service levels online gaming is not ideal | | | | update period parameter is Tu. Researchers who |
| over satellite Internet. The time it takes for an | | | | work on the bandwidth requirement of a game |
| electromagnetic signal to cover a two way | | | | use this formula. As an end user we should know |
| distance is approximately 0.48 seconds at a speed | | | | the requirements before we start on a game. |
| of 186,000 miles per second. By all practical | | | | Satellite Internet companies such as HughesNet |
| means this is above acceptable limits and the | | | | offer speeds of 700 Kbps, 1 Mbps, and 1.5 Mbps |
| primary reason why online gaming is not | | | | for home connections as well as 1.5 Mbps and 2 |
| suggested if you have a satellite Internet | | | | Mbps for business connections. Online gaming is |
| connectivity. The transponders are normally at a | | | | not ideal over Satellite Internet because factors |
| height of 22,300 miles above the equator. Apart | | | | such as loss of packets and jitters may cause |
| from latency there are other factors such as | | | | the player to lose or abandon a game. It will be a |
| degradation of the signals during heavy | | | | frustrating experience for the player and hence it |
| precipitation and solar interference in Mid March | | | | is advisable that for gaming purposes either DSL |
| and late September. Another factor that would | | | | or broadband connectivity be used. Satellite |
| hinder online gaming via Satellite Internet is | | | | Internet providers are continuously working on |
| bandwidth availability. Online gaming is real-time | | | | their technology to upgrade their infrastructure so |
| and requires high bandwidth between the server | | | | that they can offer higher levels of services to |
| and the players computer. Satellite Internet may | | | | subscribers. Things are moving at a brisk pace but |
| not provide such high bandwidth requirements for | | | | until the speed and other factors improve online |
| home use. Online games are developed using | | | | gaming fans should use DSL, broadband or cable |
| peer-to-peer architecture and the bandwidth | | | | Internet. |