How is latency defined in telecommunications?

Latency in telecommunications is defined as the time delay experienced in data transmission over a network. This delay can occur due to various factors, such as the physical distance data must travel, network congestion, the types of devices involved in the transmission, and the processing time at each step along the way.

Understanding latency is crucial in telecommunications because it directly affects the performance of applications, particularly those that require real-time communication like video calls, online gaming, and VoIP services. Low latency is essential for a smooth user experience, whereas high latency can lead to noticeable delays and affect the quality of the communication or data transfer.

In contrast to the other options, which relate to different performance metrics such as speed, throughput, or bandwidth, latency specifically measures the delay aspect of data transmission, making it a unique and critical factor in assessing network performance.