YankeeJim:How does the way they get connected to the WGT server come into play? Aren't the in-between servers part of the problem when it comes to slow loads?
I'll assume you mean the path taken on the internet to connect to the WGT server.
When running consecutive tests via speedtest.net to the same remote server I seldom get the same download speed result. It varies up to 10Mbps at times. So yeah the in-between servers play a part in loading speeds. But at which end? Our ISP's end or WGT's ISP end?
Any path in-between the two ISPs I'll call the internet backbone. The backbone is made up of hi-speed fiber links and extremely fast hardware routers switching the packets on their way to the next router. The backbone's speed as of 2013 was 100Gbps! Unless there's severe congestion along the way (rare) the backbone is not part of the problem.
On our end, connection speed can be affected by the size and speed of the ISPs server and the amount of traffic being served. There's good ISPs and not so good ISPs. A not so good ISP could play a part in varying load speeds I'd think. But a good one you get what you pay for.
Then there's our connection to the ISP which can be via cable, DSL, fiber or satellite. A cable connection is shared within the neighborhood so if some neighbor starts downloading a movie from Netflix your speed could take a hit. DSL is not shared in the neighborhood but once you get to the CO (Central Office) you'll be sharing common resources. But not affected by neighbors & Netflix. Generally a lower speed than cable though. Fiber is not shared with neighbors but not widely available. Bless you if you can get it with speeds to 1Gbps! Satellite, you can take a hit with the wind blowing a tree limb in the way or a heavy rain storm. If you can deal with the inherent latency due to beaming up/down 24.000 miles to the satellite.
One more local speed robber, wi-fi. Direct to the modem is best. But if wi-fi is necessary then you share the bandwidth every smart phone, iPad, Kindle, smart TV, smart blender in the house. So the kids come home and fire up Facebook, you take a hit.
Finally to the WGT side ISP. From a tracert, whois check, it looks like they're using Amazon Data Services now. Based on reviews I read it looks like a good ISP. That's the end of the line as the game servers would reside there, not in a WGT office.
You coulda stopped reading @ Yeah. LOL