Define "latency" in the context of VoIP.

In the context of VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), latency refers to the time delay between the initiation of an action, like speaking into a microphone, and the transmission of that sound to the other party over the Internet. This delay can significantly influence the quality of the communication—too much latency can lead to awkward pauses and overlap in conversation, making it difficult for parties to communicate effectively.

While other aspects of data transmission, such as encryption time, packet routing, and signal propagation, can also contribute to the overall performance of a VoIP system, they do not specifically define latency in the way that the time delay from initiation to transmission of sound does. Understanding latency is crucial, as minimizing it helps improve the fluidity and responsiveness of voice communication over the Internet.