Real-Time Text (RTT)

Real-Time Text (RTT) is the transmission of text between two communicating users in such a way that the text typed by one user is transmitted to the other user in a period of time so as to appear to be instantaneous. Research has shown that if text is transmitted to the receiver within about 500ms, the communications feels "real-time".

This mode of communication differs from Instant Messaging, SMS, or other en bloc forms of communication, wherein the latter buffers all user input and is transmitted at one time when the user indicates the message should be sent.

See Also: Voice over IP (VoIP), Internet Protocol Multimedia Communications (IPMC), Instant Messaging (IM)