What is Jitter?

Jitter refers to the variability between the arrival times of data packets transmitted over a network. It is particularly important for real-time applications and audio/video transmission, as the irregular arrival of data packets can result in distorted audio or interrupted video streaming. Jitter is usually measured in milliseconds and is an indicator of inconsistencies in data transmission.

Network traffic may experience various delays (latency) during the data journey, and the duration of these delays may be different for each packet. These timing differences cause communication breaks and performance degradation, especially when packets must be processed sequentially. Jitter, as a measure of this timing difference, helps us understand how stable the network is operating.

What Does Jitter Do?

Jitter measurement provides important information about the performance of the network. High jitter values indicate heavy traffic or technical problems on the network. This information is critical for network engineers and system administrators because it allows them to understand whether the network is working properly and what improvements need to be made if necessary.

Furthermore, in technologies that enable real-time voice and video communication, such as VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), low jitter values ensure a high-quality communication experience. Therefore, jitter values for teleconferencing, online gaming and other live streaming services are strictly monitored and optimized.

How Much Should Jitter Be?

The ideal jitter value can vary from application to application. For example, in general, jitter values below 30 milliseconds are considered acceptable for applications such as VoIP and video conferencing. However, lower jitter values (e.g. below 10 milliseconds) are more ideal for such applications because they result in less audio and video distortion. It is recommended to aim for the lowest possible jitter values for a high quality and uninterrupted communication experience.

How to Reduce Jitter?

There are several ways to reduce jitter. First and foremost, it is important to manage traffic on the network and reduce unnecessary loads. Upgrading network hardware and using faster and more reliable hardware can be effective in reducing jitter. Also, configuring QoS (Quality of Service) settings can help reduce jitter by prioritizing traffic and guaranteeing the bandwidth needed for real-time applications. Wired connections generally offer lower jitter than wireless connections, so wired networks should be preferred where possible.