What does the term "latency" refer to in a network?

The term "latency" in a network context specifically refers to the time taken for a data packet to travel from the source to its destination. This measurement is crucial in networking as it affects the performance of applications, especially those requiring real-time data transmission, such as video conferencing and online gaming. Low latency indicates a quicker response time, which is essential for a smooth user experience.

While the other choices touch on aspects of network performance, such as delays caused by congestion or the speed of data downloads, they address different characteristics of network communication. Latency is concerned specifically with the time delay associated with transmitting packets, making it a distinct metric in understanding network efficiency and speed.