India's Internet Speed Might Not Be Fast Enough For Playing Stadia

Prior to Google Stadia, there were many other cloud gaming services, but all failed because of the speed barrier for internet access.

Google has the ambition to change the gaming industry, where physical gaming PCs and devices will be completely replaced by the cloud. That ambition is gradually coming true when last night, Google launched Stadia cloud gaming platform. The introduction and promises are very attractive as you can play high-end games anywhere, on any device no matter with any hardware configuration, you just need an Internet connection and Chrome browser.

However, there are still difficulties and troubles that may hinder this ambition of Google in India or even in its home country. That is, the low-speed Internet requirement and uncompetitive broadband internet connection in India and the US could hinder expanding the Stadia platform to everyone. In India, the speed is even slower compared to the US, which was only one-third of the US. So it might take Google quite a while to make way for Stadia to India.

Stadia is the future that all of us, the gamers, want to look forward to. With just an average PC, you can click on any of the cool games you are watching on YouTube. It takes about 5 seconds without downloading or installing games, and you can play that game with graphics quality @4K resolution and 60fps.

Google said it will officially launch the Stadia platform later this year in the US, Canada, and several European countries. Even so, Google has yet to disclose the subscription prices and supported game titles.

Previously, Google also tested the predecessor of Stadia, Project Stream, allowing participants to play online Assassin Creed Odyssey, via Google Chrome browser.

With carriers like Verizon focusing more on mobile networks and online advertising, they refuse to upgrade slow-speed DSL lines. That makes many large areas in the US still stuck at a speed of 3Mb / s. Meanwhile, giant Comcast enjoys its monopoly in providing broadband internet service. As a result of the high price of subscribers, many Americans still decide to use the old internet connection with low speed.

According to the FCC report, nearly 25 million Americans cannot access the internet at a minimum rate of 25Mbp / s - the basic level that FCC regulates for broadband Internet access. Therefore, these users will not be able to reach the Google Stadia platform.

In theory, to be able to play games over Cloud at 1080p resolution and latency below 20ms, the internet connection is required at a minimum speed of 25Mbp / s but it is just the recommended speed. You might need a bit faster Internet connection to have a decent experience. Therefore, the only option for the American people is to pay higher fees to upgrade their internet connection.

The US is ranked 7th with 107.28 Mbp/s while India is placed at the 65th spot with 26.46 Mbp/s in the broadband Internet speed ranking which just barely meets the standard. However, this is just the average in the country.

Google is not the first company to launch cloud-based gaming services. Previously, there was Nvidia with its GeForce Now service, OnLive. However, barriers to internet access speed in the global market and the US, in particular, have made these services unable to develop, or can even be considered as failures.

Let's wait to see if Google Stadia can make a difference, or will share the same fate with other cloud gaming services. For now, Google will also launch Stadia in the US, Canada, and several European countries as they are more likely to meet the requirements for the platform. It would take Google quite a while to offer the service in the Indian market.