The BIG Technical Jargon Guide

If you need answers to broadband jargon or technical terminology you're in the right place

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Lag (latency)

What is lag (latency)?

Lag or latency refers to the delay or time it takes for information to travel from one device or computer to another over a network connection, such as the internet.

When you're using an online service or playing a game that requires an internet connection, the information must travel between your device and the server where the service or game is located. If there's a delay in this communication, it can result in lag or latency, which can cause things like slow response times, video glitches, or delayed actions in games.

Lag or latency can be caused by various factors, such as the quality and speed of your internet connection, the distance between your device and the server, or the amount of data being transferred. It can also be affected by network congestion or other technical issues.

Read our article on how to improve gaming latency

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