Definition ∞ Low latency communication refers to data transmission with minimal delay between the sender and receiver. In blockchain contexts, this means transactions and information propagate across the network very quickly. Achieving low latency is critical for applications requiring rapid updates and swift consensus mechanisms. It directly impacts the speed and responsiveness of decentralized systems.
Context ∞ The pursuit of low latency communication is a significant area of research and development for many blockchain networks, particularly those supporting high-frequency trading or real-time applications. Innovations in network architecture and consensus algorithms aim to further reduce transaction finality times. Improvements in this area are frequently highlighted in news concerning network upgrades and performance metrics.