What does the term "latency" refer to in networking?

Latency in networking specifically refers to the time delay experienced before data begins to transfer. This can occur in various stages, including the time taken to initiate a transmission, process the data, and the propagation delay as the signal travels through the medium. Low latency is desired for applications that require real-time communication, such as video conferencing and online gaming, as it significantly affects the responsiveness of the connection.

The concept doesn't directly relate to the speed of data transfer, the amount of data transmitted, or the distance the data travels. Speed pertains to how quickly data can be sent once transmission begins, while the amount of transmitted data refers to bandwidth. Distance can contribute to latency, but it is not the same as latency itself; thus, the most accurate definition is the time delay before data transfer starts.