What is internet latency?

• Internet latency is the time it takes for data to travel between a device and a server, measured in milliseconds, and affects online activities like gaming, streaming, and video conferencing.
• High latency causes delays or lags, but it can be reduced with solutions such as wired connections, hardware upgrades, and optimizing server choices.

Internet latency refers to the delay or time it takes for data to travel from the source to the destination across a network. It’s typically measured in milliseconds (ms) and affects speed. Whether you’re streaming your favorite show, playing an online game, or participating in a virtual meeting, one term often overlooked but critically important is internet latency. Understanding internet latency and its impact can help you optimize your online experience.

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What is internet latency?

Internet latency refers to the time it takes for data to travel from your device to a server and back. It’s typically measured in milliseconds (ms) and is commonly called “ping.” The lower the latency, the faster the data exchange, which results in a smoother and more responsive online experience. Conversely, high latency causes delays that can be disruptive.

Imagine you’re in a video conference. When you speak, your words are sent as data to a server, which then relays them to the other participants. If latency is high, there’s a noticeable lag between when you speak and when others hear you. This lag can disrupt communication, making it harder to collaborate effectively.

What causes internet latency?

Latency arises from multiple factors, including the distance data travels, network congestion, and the type of technology used. Here’s a closer look at the main causes:

1. Physical Distance:
   The farther data has to travel, the longer it takes to reach its destination. For example, sending a request to a server located halfway across the globe will naturally involve higher latency than connecting to a local server.
2. Network Congestion:
   When too many users or devices are using the same network simultaneously, the increased traffic can slow down data transmission, causing higher latency.
3. Outdated Hardware:
   Routers, modems, or devices with limited processing capabilities can create bottlenecks, adding to latency.
4. Routing Paths:
   The efficiency of the route that data takes across the internet affects latency. Poorly optimized routing can lead to unnecessary delays.

Also read: Data latency simplified: A beginner’s guide

How is internet latency measured?

Internet latency is typically measured in milliseconds (ms). Lower latency means faster data transmission, while higher latency results in delays. Here are three commonly used methods for measuring latency:

• Ping Test: Measures the time it takes for a data packet to travel to a server and back.
• Traceroute: Tracks the path data takes through various network nodes, providing insights into delays along the route.
• Jitter: Measures the variability in latency over time, which is particularly important for real-time applications like video calls.

For most activities, a latency under 50ms is considered excellent, while over 150ms can cause noticeable delays, especially in gaming or video conferencing.

In the digital age, reducing latency is as important as increasing bandwidth—speed means nothing without responsiveness.

Praveen Jain, SVP at Juniper Networks

The impact of internet latency on online activities

Internet latency can significantly affect the quality of your online experience. Below are some examples of how latency impacts various activities:

1. Online Gaming:
   Gamers require ultra-low latency for smooth and responsive gameplay. High latency can lead to lag, where in-game actions are delayed, ruining the experience.
2. Streaming and Video Conferencing:
   Latency can cause buffering in video streaming and audio delays in video calls, disrupting communication.
3. Web Browsing:
   High latency slows down page load times, negatively affecting user experience and productivity.

Also read: How to test and reduce high latency on your network

Latency vs. Bandwidth: What’s the difference?

Latency and bandwidth are two key factors that determine internet performance, but they describe different characteristics of a network. Understanding the distinction between these terms is essential for diagnosing and improving your online experience.

What is latency?

Latency refers to the time it takes for data to travel from your device to a destination server and back. It is measured in milliseconds (ms) and reflects the responsiveness of your network. Lower latency means faster response times and smoother interactions, which is especially critical for real-time applications like online gaming, video conferencing, and VoIP calls. For example, when you click a link or send a request to a server, low latency ensures the server processes and returns the data quickly. High latency, on the other hand, creates delays that can cause lag in gaming, buffering in streaming, or interruptions in video calls.

What is Bandwidth?

Bandwidth refers to the amount of data that can be transmitted over a network connection in a given time, typically measured in megabits per second (Mbps) or gigabits per second (Gbps). It determines how much data your network can handle at once, making it crucial for activities like downloading large files, streaming high-definition videos, or connecting multiple devices simultaneously. Higher bandwidth means more data can flow through your connection, allowing for smoother multitasking and the ability to handle data-heavy applications. However, bandwidth alone does not guarantee fast or responsive performance, as latency also plays a crucial role.

Also read: 7 hidden culprits behind high internet latency

Key Differences Between Latency and Bandwidth

1. Speed vs. Capacity:
   Latency measures the speed of data travel, while bandwidth determines the volume of data that can be transmitted at once. Think of bandwidth as the width of a highway and latency as the speed limit—wider highways (higher bandwidth) allow more cars (data) to travel, but the speed (latency) impacts how quickly they arrive at their destination.
2. Impact on Performance:
   Even with high bandwidth, high latency can still result in poor performance. For instance, a high-bandwidth connection may allow you to stream 4K videos without buffering, but if latency is high, there could be delays in starting the video or interactions, like pausing or skipping, feeling sluggish.
3. Use Cases:
   • Low Latency Required: Gaming, VoIP, video conferencing, financial trading.
   • High Bandwidth Required: Video streaming, large file downloads, cloud backups, connecting multiple devices.

Understanding latency in cloud computing

Latency plays a pivotal role in cloud computing, where seamless and real-time access to remote resources is essential. Cloud applications, services, and storage rely on low-latency connections to deliver the speed and responsiveness that businesses and users demand. High latency can significantly disrupt these workflows, slowing file transfers, hindering remote work applications, and degrading user experiences across web-based tools and platforms.

For businesses, latency is particularly critical when dealing with time-sensitive operations such as financial transactions, data processing, and customer service. Delays caused by high latency can impact productivity, reduce efficiency, and even result in financial losses. Therefore, choosing a cloud service provider that minimizes latency is a strategic decision for enterprises.

One of the primary factors influencing latency in cloud computing is the physical proximity of data centres to the end-user or organization. Cloud providers with data centres closer to the user’s location often deliver lower latency, enabling faster access and better performance. Additionally, modern infrastructure such as edge computing, which processes data closer to the source, further reduces latency by bypassing the need for long-distance data travel.

In the fast-paced world of cloud computing, low latency is a competitive advantage that ensures smoother operations, happier users, and overall business success.

Low latency is the key to unlocking seamless experiences in gaming, streaming, and cloud computing, where every millisecond counts.

J.J. Kardwell, CEO of Vultr

Latency in emerging technologies

As technologies like 5G, IoT, and edge computing gain prominence, the importance of reducing latency has grown exponentially:

1. 5G Networks:
   One of the primary benefits of 5G is ultra-low latency, enabling innovations like autonomous vehicles and real-time augmented reality applications.
2. Internet of Things (IoT):
   IoT devices rely on near-instantaneous communication to function effectively. Low latency ensures smooth operation of connected devices.
3. Edge Computing:
   By processing data closer to its source, edge computing reduces the need for long-distance data travel, significantly lowering latency.

Also read: Latency in gaming: Why low ping is crucial for smooth gameplay
Also read: Why latency is slowing down your network

Why does latency matter?

Latency plays a crucial role in determining the quality of your internet experience. Here’s how it impacts specific activities:

1. Online Gaming: Latency can make or break a gaming session. High latency, often called “lag”, can cause delays between your actions and their effects in the game, leading to frustration in fast-paced or competitive games.
2. Streaming: Although less obvious than in gaming, high latency can result in buffering and reduce the quality of video streams.
3. Video Conferencing: Delays in audio or video can lead to awkward pauses and miscommunications during calls, which is particularly problematic for business meetings or online classes.
4. Web Browsing: High latency may cause websites to load slower, even if you have a fast internet connection.

Common causes of high latency

There are several factors that can contribute to high internet latency:

• Physical Distance: The farther the data has to travel between your device and the server, the higher the latency. Accessing a server on another continent naturally increases response times.
• Network Congestion: High traffic on your network or ISP’s infrastructure can slow down data transmission.
• Outdated Equipment: Older routers, modems, or devices might not handle data efficiently, resulting in increased latency.
• Satellite Internet: Data traveling to space and back has a longer journey, inherently increasing latency.
• ISP Quality: Some internet service providers (ISPs) may prioritize speed over latency, resulting in a slower response time for certain activities.

Also read: What is latency in computers? A beginner’s guide

How to reduce latency

If you’re struggling with high latency, here are steps you can take to improve your connection:

1. Switch to a Wired Connection: Ethernet cables offer more stable and faster connections compared to Wi-Fi.
2. Upgrade Your Hardware: Investing in a modern router or modem can significantly reduce latency.
3. Limit Background Activity: Close unnecessary apps and devices that might be consuming bandwidth.
4. Choose Local Servers: Many online games and streaming services allow you to select servers closer to your location.
5. Contact Your ISP: Ask your provider if they offer low-latency plans or troubleshoot any issues affecting your connection.

Also read: How Anycast routing boosts DNS resilience and reduces latency

The future of internet latency

With advancements in technology, efforts to reduce latency continue to grow. Innovations like quantum networking, improved routing algorithms, and widespread adoption of 5G are set to redefine the limits of low-latency connectivity. As latency decreases, industries like gaming, healthcare, and manufacturing will unlock new possibilities, from real-time remote surgeries to seamless virtual reality experiences.

FAQs: What is internet latency?