Jitter refers to the variability in time delay in transmitting data over a network. It is often measured in milliseconds and can affect the quality of real-time communications, such as voice calls or video streaming. High jitter can lead to choppy audio or video, making it difficult for users to communicate effectively. Jitter is typically caused by network congestion, improper configuration, or hardware issues. To minimize jitter, network administrators may implement quality of service (QoS) settings or use dedicated bandwidth for sensitive applications like VoIP or online gaming. Monitoring tools can also help identify and address jitter-related problems.