How to Reduce VoIP Latency
About the Author
To reduce VoIP latency, prioritise voice traffic with Quality of Service (QoS) on your router, use wired Ethernet instead of Wi-Fi where you can, upgrade outdated networking hardware, and choose a provider with UK-based servers and low-latency routing. Latency is the delay between you speaking and the other person hearing you, and on business calls, even a small lag makes conversations overlap and feel unnatural.
As a rule of thumb, aim for one-way latency under 150ms. Below that, calls feel natural; above it, the delay becomes noticeable, and people start talking over each other.
What Causes VoIP Latency?
- Slow or unstable internet connections
- Network congestion from high device usage
- Poor router performance or outdated equipment
- Long-distance data routing between servers
- Insufficient bandwidth for your call volume
Best Ways to Reduce Latency
- Prioritising voice traffic with QoS settings on your router
- Using wired Ethernet connections instead of Wi-Fi where possible
- Upgrading outdated routers and network switches
- Reducing unnecessary bandwidth use during calls
- Monitoring network performance regularly to catch issues early
- Choosing a VoIP provider with strong, reliable infrastructure
Latency for Remote Teams
Remote staff should have a stable home connection and suitable hardware too, so latency doesn't creep in outside the office. If calls are still lagging after this, the problem is often the connection itself, our guide on whether VoIP works without an internet connection covers how to keep calls stable.
Final Thoughts
A properly configured VoIP setup delivers smooth, real-time conversations with minimal delay. The VoIP Shop can identify network bottlenecks and optimise your system for the best call performance, backed by UK-based support.
Get in touch to have your VoIP network checked for latency.
Written By | About the Author
Kully has over 15 years of experience in the VoIP and telecoms industry. Drawing on a background in telecoms sales and leadership, he provides expert, impartial advice on VoIP and cloud telephony solutions. As a lead author for The VoIP Shop, Kully helps businesses understand and adopt modern communication technologies
