Definition ∞ Lower communication latency in decentralized networks refers to the reduction in the time delay experienced when information is transmitted between nodes or across different parts of the network. This improvement directly contributes to faster transaction processing, quicker consensus finality, and a more responsive user experience. Minimizing latency is a critical engineering goal for high-performance blockchain systems. It enhances the overall efficiency and scalability of distributed ledgers.
Context ∞ News often highlights lower communication latency in reports on blockchain scaling solutions, such as layer-2 protocols and sharding implementations. Discussions focus on how various architectural choices or network optimizations achieve these reductions. The ongoing pursuit of lower latency is essential for supporting real-time applications and increasing the throughput of decentralized networks.