What Is Latency – And Why It Matters for Your Internet Speed

When people talk about internet performance, most focus on download and upload speeds—but there's another key factor that can make or break your online experience: latency.

Whether you're running a business, streaming a meeting, or gaming online, understanding latency can help you make better decisions about your internet setup—and avoid frustration when things lag or stutter at the worst possible moment.

So, what is latency? And why should it matter to your business?

What Is Latency?

Latency refers to the time it takes for data to travel from your device to its destination and back again. It's usually measured in milliseconds (ms). Think of it like a round-trip plane journey: the lower the latency, the faster your data gets there and back.

For example:

• Low latency (20-40ms): Feels smooth and responsive.

• High latency (150ms+): Causes delays, lags, and poor performance—especially during real-time activities.

Latency vs Speed: What's the Difference?

It's easy to confuse latency with speed, but they measure different things:

Term	What It Measures	Why It Matters
Download Speed	How fast data is delivered to you (e.g. watching videos)	Impedes streaming, file downloads, etc.
Upload Speed	How fast you send data to others (e.g. video calls, file uploads)	Crucial for video calls, backups, etc.
Latency	The time delay between sending and receiving data	Affects real-time apps: Teams, Zoom, gaming, remote desktop

You can have high download speeds and still experience lag if your latency is poor.

What Causes High Latency?

Several things can contribute to high latency:

• Distance to servers – The further the data has to travel, the longer it takes.

• Old or slow hardware – Outdated routers and devices can slow things down.

• Network congestion – Too many devices on one connection can clog the pipeline.

• Poor quality connections – Wi-Fi interference, copper lines, or overused infrastructure can add milliseconds of delay.

Why Latency Matters for Business

Low latency is essential for any business that:

• Uses VoIP phones

• Relies on video conferencing (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc.)

• Connects to cloud apps and remote servers

• Hosts online gaming or live-streaming

• Offers real-time customer service or collaboration tools

High latency can make conversations awkward, freeze screens, and cause dropped calls—leading to poor productivity and unhappy clients.

How to Reduce Latency

Here are a few practical ways to lower your latency:

1. Use wired connections where possible – Ethernet is faster and more stable than Wi-Fi.

2. Upgrade to fibre – Services like FTTP (Fibre to the Premises) or Starlink offer lower latency than copper or DSL.

3. Optimise your network – Business-grade routers, switches, and proper network segmentation can help.

4. Limit background usage – Avoid heavy downloads or streaming during work hours.

5. Choose a quality ISP – Not all internet providers are equal when it comes to routing and server quality.

Want Better Speed and Lower Latency?

At Solve IT, we help businesses upgrade their internet with reliable, low-latency connectivity—whether it's through Starlink, FTTP, or fully managed networks.

If you're tired of lag, dropouts, or poor performance during critical moments, we can help.

Contact us today to assess your current setup and explore faster, more reliable solutions.