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A certain amount of practice and skill goes into competitive gaming. At the end of the day, if you seek to chalk up the most eliminations in Fortnite or outflank everyone in Fall Guys, you must invest time. And at the same time, you must also have access to internet speeds better than the minimum recommended. Because if you experience persistent lag while executing pivotal split-second decisions that make the difference between victory and defeat, a slow internet connection would be to blame.
When you live in rural areas, it is way too challenging to find reliable internet options for gaming. For many years, online gaming in rural America has been nearly impossible. Thankfully, as internet has become more deep-rooted in our daily lives, we have also seen a marked improvement in available rural internet options, albeit there is still a long way to go before rural gamers get to utilize a level playing field.
So what type of internet will get you the best speeds for gaming in rural areas? Let’s find out!
For online gaming in rural areas, DSL and Fixed Wireless will most likely do the trick. Compared to satellite internet, these two rural internet options depict a lower latency level and fewer ping spikes. Let’s discuss these in more detail.
If high-speed DSL internet is available in your area, your gaming experience will be quite similar to those on a lower speed tier of a cable broadband plan in an urban home. DSL runs through copper telephone lines and offers speeds commonly ranging from 0.5 Mbps to 100 Mbps, depending on your exact location.
The biggest pro of DSL internet is its widespread availability. Since it operates over existing phone line networks which have long been spread out, DSL networks extend coverage to almost 90% of the US, making it pretty effortless to access the service.
But it is not all sunshine and roses. On the con side, the thing with DSL technology is the farther away you get from your provider’s hub, the slower the speeds you get. With that said, even if you get up to 5 Mbps download speed on the near-edge of a service provider’s network, you will still be able to play multiplayer, role playing, and real-time strategy games as long as you can maintain a stable connection with minimal slowdowns. Because luckily recommended download and upload speeds for the majority of online gaming sessions do not require a super fast connection.
What however does count is your data consumption. But, DSL plans from the likes of CenturyLink, and Windstream have no data caps, others like AT&T get you 1.5 TB for all plans up to 75 Mbps and unlimited data with the 100 Mbps offer, while TDS delivers its DSL service with a 250 GB data allowance.
The best DSL providers to look for in rural areas are AT&T, CenturyLink, TDS, and Windstream.
If DSL internet is not available, fixed wireless is another high-speed internet option in rural areas. Fixed Wireless technology uses radio signals to deliver internet service to your homes via a series of cell towers, and is able to transfer data at a fast pace. Fixed Wireless speeds usually range from 5 Mbps to 50 Mbps with providers like Rise Broadband offering unlimited plans.
Fixed Wireless is able to deliver a seamless online gaming experience. Albeit you do need to be located within 10 miles or so of the provider’s access point in the area, as well as in its line of sight.
The greatest plus of fixed wireless internet is its cost-effective and quicker deployment makes it possible for ISPs to offer a highs-speed internet option for rural areas at an affordable rate relative to pricey satellite internet. For residents of areas where no wired option is available, Fixed Wireless thus becomes a viable option for gaming and more.
The best fixed wireless providers to look for in rural areas are AT&T and Rise Broadband.
Of course, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for getting the best gaming internet in rural areas. Various factors like speeds, prices, and connection types available in your area will influence your decision. Keep in mind that shopping for internet is not something you do quite often so don’t rush the process.
And if you feel confused, make your search easy by entering your Zip Code here. Or call at 1-855-349-9328 to talk to an expert and get pro advice about a suitable plan to subscribe to.
That depends on the internet services available in your area. You can get the best rural internet speeds from the likes of AT&T, CenturyLink, Windstream, TDS, and Rise Broadband. But again not all providers extend coverage in all rural areas. Call at 1-855-349-9328 and have experts check out good gaming internet options available at your address.
If DSL or Fixed Wireless internet services with speeds ranging anywhere from 3-25 Mbps are available in your rural neighborhood, chances are you can indulge in online gaming.
Here are some tried and tested ways to stabilize your connection for online gaming:
The minimum Wi-Fi speed required for online gaming is 3 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload. However, games on PlayStation Now such as Dishonored 2, Bloodborne, The Last of Us and Resident Evil 4 will require a minimum of 5 Mbps download speed.
Zion enjoys writing on a variety of different topics, especially those that involve gaming, and sports. With over 7 years of experience in digital marketing, he keeps up with the changing market trends. Zion specializes in how-to guides, is a technical geek, and routinely writes on Windstream, Mediacom, Cox, AT&T, and MetroNet. He closely works with the content team to ensure that customers get unbiased and fair reviews of all associated services. In his free time, Zion enjoys spending time with his pets, exploring restaurants, and gaming.