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Latency 2025

Latency is the time it takes for data to travel from its source to its destination.

Network latency is the measured time delay between the initiation of a data transmission and its receipt at the intended destination. In fiber optic networks, latency is typically measured in milliseconds (ms) and represents the round-trip time (RTT) for a data packet to travel from its source to its destination and back. While fiber optic cables transmit data at approximately 70% of the speed of light through glass, various factors introduce additional delays in the complete network path.

Latency in Fiber Optic Networks

Technical Definition

Network latency is the measured time delay between the initiation of a data transmission and its receipt at the intended destination. In fiber optic networks, latency is typically measured in milliseconds (ms) and represents the round-trip time (RTT) for a data packet to travel from its source to its destination and back. While fiber optic cables transmit data at approximately 70% of the speed of light through glass, various factors introduce additional delays in the complete network path.

Components of Latency

  1. Propagation Delay
    • The time required for data to physically travel through the fiber optic cable
    • Determined by distance and the refractive index of the glass fiber
    • Approximately 4.9 microseconds per kilometer of fiber
  2. Switching Delay
    • Time needed for network devices to process and forward data packets
    • Includes routing decisions and packet inspection
    • Can vary based on network equipment quality and configuration
  3. Queuing Delay
    • Time packets spend waiting in network device buffers
    • Occurs during network congestion
    • Can significantly increase during peak usage periods
  4. Processing Delay
    • Time required for end systems to process received data
    • Includes protocol overhead and error checking
    • Varies based on system hardware and software efficiency

Impact on Online Experience

Real-time Applications

General Internet Usage

Comparing Latency Across Different Types of Internet Connections

Cable broadband typically delivers latency between 15-35 ms for local connections. This relatively low latency makes it suitable for most online activities, including gaming and video conferencing. The coaxial infrastructure, while not as fast as fiber optic, still provides consistent performance since it's a wired connection that's less susceptible to environmental interference.

Satellite internet has significantly higher latency, typically ranging from 500-700ms, due to the long distance signals must travel to and from orbital satellites. Even with new low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite systems like Starlink, which can achieve latencies of 20-40ms, traditional geostationary satellite services experience noticeable delays that can make real-time applications challenging. This high latency makes satellite internet less suitable for gaming, video calls, or other time-sensitive applications.

Mobile cellular networks vary considerably in their latency depending on the technology generation and signal strength. 4G LTE typically delivers latency between 50-100ms, while 5G can achieve impressively low latency of 10-30ms under optimal conditions. However, these times can fluctuate significantly based on network congestion, distance from the cell tower, and environmental factors.

Public WiFi generally experiences latency between 10-100ms, but this can vary dramatically based on several factors. The backhaul connection type, number of users, router quality, and distance from the access point all affect performance. Many public WiFi networks suffer from inconsistent latency due to high user load and basic quality of service settings. Peak times at cafes or airports can see latency spike well above 100ms.

For comparison, a direct fiber optic connection typically achieves the lowest latency of all these options, usually between 5-15 ms for local connections. This makes it the gold standard for consistent, low-latency performance.

How Jitter Impacts Connection Types

Jitter, which refers to the variation in latency over time, significantly impacts the perceived quality of these connections. Satellite internet typically experiences jitter of 30-50ms, while cellular networks can see jitter ranging from 10-40 ms depending on conditions. Public WiFi often suffers from high jitter (20-50ms) due to variable user loads and interference. Cable broadband maintains relatively low jitter (2-10ms), while fiber optic connections excel with minimal jitter (1-3ms). High jitter can cause stuttering in video calls, inconsistent gaming performance, and choppy streaming, even when average latency appears acceptable.

Latency Measurement and Benchmarks

Latency Optimization Techniques

  1. Network Architecture
    • Strategic placement of data centers
    • Implementation of content delivery networks (CDNs)
    • Edge computing deployment
  2. Hardware Improvements
    • High-quality network equipment
    • Optimized routing configurations
    • Regular infrastructure maintenance
  3. Software Optimization
    • Protocol efficiency
    • Traffic prioritization
    • Quality of Service (QoS) implementation