Terminology » Data Communication » Data Communication vs. Voice Communication: Key Differences

Data Communication vs. Voice Communication: Key Differences

data communication voice communication telecommunication network protocol

This document outlines the key differences between data communication and voice communication.

Key Differences

The following table summarizes the main distinctions:

FeatureData CommunicationVoice Communication
Connection Setup TimeRequires connection setup time of about 1 second or less.Requires connection setup time of about 1 second to 1 minute.
Communication TypeOne or two-way communication based on application (e.g., FTP, browsing, VOIP).Mostly two-way communication.
Error HandlingData received is typically error-free. In case of errors, either retransmission is initiated or error correction techniques (FEC) are used.Voice received often contains noise and degradation in quality.
Transmission PatternTransmission is usually in the form of bursts.Transmission is continuous due to the real-time nature of voice.
Transmission Delay SensitivityData can be stored and transmitted based on congestion and application (SMS, email). Tolerant to some transmission delays.Not tolerant of transmission delays and hence needs to be transmitted in real-time.
Connection DurationConnection may be required for 24 hours/day and 7 days/week in certain applications, such as ATM cash machines.Connection duration is typically limited to several minutes.
Bandwidth RequirementsMay require a wide range of bandwidths.May require a fixed bandwidth of about 4KHz.