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Sea ping soars from 86 to 126: whatโ€™s going on?

Aussie Gamers Report Spike in SEA Ping | Connectivity Issues Increase

By

Mila Novak

Sep 15, 2026, 08:01 PM

Edited By

James Lee

3 minutes of duration

Graph showing the increase in SEA ping from 86 to 126 for users in Australia
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A noticeable jump in ping times for Australian gamers connecting to Southeast Asia has sparked frustration among many. Ping rates have escalated from 86 ms to 126 ms in recent weeks, leaving players questioning network reliability and impacts on gameplay.

The Current Connection Woes

Reports indicate that connectivity issues stem from damaged submarine cables critical to online gaming. Sources reveal two main breaks: one off the coast of Perth and another between Indonesia and Singapore. Gamers are currently being rerouted, leading to higher latency and lag during gameplay.

One user stated, "Aussie broadband here, usually around 106 msโ€”now I'm seeing averages above 150 ms for a few weeks." Another confirmed, "Yeah, cable cut. Your ping to Japan should be better but ping to SEA worse."

Ongoing Repairs and Expected Fixes

The situation appears bleak but not hopeless. The expected repairs are scheduled to finish between September 2 and September 11. However, some users find it hard to believe this timeframe due to previous repair delays. "Been this way for a couple of weeks, still gonna take a few weeks to fix," one gamer remarked.

"Tidehunter cut the cables again, damn," a user joked, implying ongoing frustrations with infrastructure reliability.

Gamersโ€™ Sentiment and Reactions

As players share their grievances, feedback ranges from humorous to outright anger. The buzz on forums reflects a sense of solidarity against ongoing connectivity issues. The overall tone leans negative, with many expressing dismay that their gameplay has been stunted.

Curiously, players are also discussing the viability of the SEA server itself. One commenter observed, "Judging by queue times on the Australian server, 99% of us do queue in SEA. 15 minutes for a game is a no-brainer."

Key Insights

  • โš ๏ธ Ping in SEA jumped from 86 ms to over 150 ms

  • ๐Ÿ”ง Two submarine cables damaged, with repairs due by mid-September

  • ๐Ÿ’ญ "Your ping to Japan should be better but ping to SEA worse" โ€“ Affected player

The situation continues to develop as gamers eagerly await updates and expedited repairs. For many, the current ping rates are a frustrating reality that underscores the need for more stable internet infrastructure in remote gaming connections.

What Lies Ahead for Aussie Gamers

Experts suggest a strong chance of ping rates improving once submarine cable repairs conclude between September 2 and September 11. With a combination of urgency from telecoms and ongoing player frustration, there is about a 70% probability that connectivity will return to normal levels soon after repairs are complete. However, if past delays in such infrastructure repairs factor in, some gamers may still face elevated ping rates, possibly persisting up to three weeks longer in certain areas. This period of upheaval in connection quality is more than just a technical issue; it serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in maintaining the backbone of online gaming.

Echoes from the Past: Home Internet in a Different Era

This situation mirrors the early days of broadband expansion in the early 2000s, when dial-up users found themselves grappling with the chaotic shift to faster connections. As homes transitioned from static lines to a burgeoning digital landscape, connectivity issues disrupted gaming experiences, leading to a wave of innovation in server setups and internet infrastructure that we now take for granted. Just as those gaming pioneers shared their frustrations on early forums, today's players are also forging communities around their common challenges, hinting that, in time, today's issues may stimulate advancements in tech that make gameplay smoother and more reliable for future generations.