Definition
Network congestion occurs when a network experiences higher traffic levels than its capacity, resulting in reduced speed, increased latency and potential packet drops or data loss.
Many factors can cause this congestion, including network bottlenecks, high data usage, or inefficient routing. Network congestion can affect overall quality of service (QOS), degrading user experiences, especially during data-intensive activities like online gaming and video streaming.
The underlying causes of network congestion determine its consistency. For example, peak usage times can cause temporary congestion, while an underlying network infrastructure or configuration flaw can cause persistent congestion.
Network Congestion Examples
- Video buffering: Network congestion can cause buffering or reduced video quality or buffering because the network struggles to deliver data efficiently.
Tips to Avoid Network Congestion
- Conduct large file downloads or uploads during off-peak hours to reduce the impact on network traffic.