Latency is the delay that occurs when data travels from one point to another on a network. In the context of VoIP calls, latency refers to the delay between when a person speaks and when the other person hears it. This delay can be caused by various factors, including network congestion, packet loss, and network distance.

Latency can have a significant impact on the quality of VoIP calls. When latency is high, it can cause a delay between when a person speaks and when the other person hears it, which can make conversations difficult and lead to awkward pauses. In addition, high latency can cause echo and jitter, making the audio sound choppy or garbled.

Latency is measured in milliseconds (ms), and the ideal latency for VoIP calls is around 150ms or less. Anything above this can result in noticeable delays and interruptions during calls.

What can I do?

To reduce latency and improve the quality of VoIP calls, it is important to ensure that the network is properly configured and optimized for VoIP traffic. This can include implementing Quality of Service (QoS) to prioritize VoIP traffic or using a dedicated network segment for VoIP traffic.

Conclusion

In summary, latency is the delay that occurs when data travels from one point to another on a network, and it can significantly impact the quality of VoIP calls. To ensure the best possible quality, it is important to optimize the network for VoIP traffic and take steps to minimize latency, packet loss, and network congestion.