What Is Real-Time Communication?

Ilham M
5 min readJan 19, 2023

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Real-time communication (RTC) is the standard from business to daily contact. It has become as fast as it is now thanks to Internet technology.

But first, let’s define real-time communication and how it evolved.

Definition

Real-time communication takes place in real-time and is thus immediate and instantaneous. Phone conversations, video conferencing, instant messaging, and online gaming are all examples. It occurs in the present and allows direct input and reaction, resulting in more participatory and exciting dialogues.

A more technical definition would be the simultaneous exchange of information from the sender to the recipient over any telecommunications service with minimum delay. Low latency is the technology that enables everything in real-time on the Internet, from video conversations to live streaming.

RTC is generally enabled by:

  • technology with which end users interact, such as online and mobile apps
  • technologies that will allow backend connectivity, such as APIs and the cloud

Real-time Communication Evolution

We could enjoy the immediacy of SMS texting and voice calls via cell phone till recently. Initially, these services were costly, requiring a SIM card, a strong signal, and a suitable gadget.

Since then, enormous changes have occurred, and the rising popularity of real-time communication is attributed to the advancement of internet technology. Real-time interactions are now more accessible than ever, thanks to new kinds of digital communication.

Consider VoIP, also known as IP telephony or Voice over Internet Protocol. Voice chat and voice calls have been substantially transformed and are now widely available. Calling someone is inexpensive, and individuals may select from various applications and services. The same is true for video calls and instant messaging.

Social media has stretched the boundaries of real-time communication even further. From likes to comments, all of our interactions are instant. Furthermore, social networking apps support instant messaging, phone conversations, and video calls.

RTC Applications

From corporate meetings to social encounters, real-time communication may be utilized for various objectives. It enables more efficient and effective communication by eliminating the need for considerable message delays. This makes it easy to keep track of critical information and remain on top of talks.

Real-time communication examples include:

  • Voice communication through landlines and mobile phones
  • Instant messaging through VoIP
  • Gaming over the Internet
  • Teleconferencing and videoconferencing
  • Events and e-commerce can benefit from live broadcasting.
  • Telepresence using robots

This is not an entire list but it illustrates how communication has evolved tremendously. People can better comprehend each other’s feelings and reactions if they can see and hear each other in real-time regardless of distance. This can help individuals form stronger bonds and have a more profound knowledge of one another.

The influence of real-time communication on business

RTC also offers timely information, services, and sales opportunities. To meet the expectations of clients, businesses require an instant reaction. Customer service is an excellent illustration of the importance of real-time communication, particularly for information delivery.

Excellent and fast Internet connections have enabled the development and deploying a new generation of business apps. Customers may chat, phone, and engage with the applications directly using voice messages sent over a Voice API. For these cases, ZEGOCLOUD provides a dependable and high-quality SDK solution.

Another noteworthy accomplishment is the measures that deliver context-relevant data to agents, such as client messages or phone calls, which can help to speed up the aid process. This avoids one of the most challenging aspects of communication: repeating yourself to multiple agents.

The disadvantages of real-time communication

However, there are several disadvantages to real-time communication. The majority of these are technical. When it comes to video conferencing, despite remarkable developments, it may still be challenging to keep up with conversations when numerous individuals are involved.

There are other non-technical difficulties. Real-time communication can be distracting since people may be inclined to multitask or become easily distracted by what is happening around them. Real-time communication is a crucial tool for improving communication and strengthening relationships. However, it is essential to realize that it has downsides and should be taken cautiously.

RTC in the Future

RTC’s future is bright. The possibilities for real-time communication are limitless now that 5G technology has arrived. This technology allows for quicker data rates, more stable connections, and more efficient and rapid communication. Users may communicate and receive data without lag or delay in real-time. 5G technology will also decrease latency or the time it takes for data to transfer from one location to another. This will result in a more consistent signal and higher-quality voice and video conversations.

Finally, 5G technology will make real-time communication more secure. Users may be sure that their data is secure and confidential thanks to better encryption and authentication processes. This is especially crucial for companies that rely on real-time communication to execute sensitive operations or transmit sensitive information.

Real-time communication became critical, particularly in the pandemic’s last years. With the advent of remote work, it is essential to maintain contact with colleagues, clients, and family who are geographically separated. This implies that further improvements to real-time communication will benefit remote employees who rely on it to keep in touch with colleagues and clients. RTC also promotes more effective teamwork and problem-solving. Real-time communication has the potential to transform how we communicate in the future.

ZEGOCLOUD is influencing the future of RTC.

ZEGOCLOUD is the world’s largest provider of cloud real-time communication services.

This RTC vendor ensures seamless, dependable audio and high-quality video experiences even in poor network situations by enabling organizations and developers to rapidly access real-time audio and video communication capabilities with a single SDK.

ZEGOCLOUD has effectively supplied high-quality services to consumers in over 200 countries and to many major clients in the social, gaming, live-streaming, financial, education, medical, and intelligent hardware sectors and areas.

SDKs, APIs, and UIKits from ZEGOCLOUD are available for:

  • Video Call
  • Voice Call
  • Live Streaming
  • In-app Chat
  • Virtual Avatar
  • AI Effects
  • Cloud Recording
  • Analytics Dashboard

ZEGOCLOUD, a leading cloud communications provider, is dedicated to delivering better service value for the most excellent real-time engagement experiences.

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