What is Time to First Byte? (TTFB (audio))
2 min read · Bolcho
How long after the agent decides what to say before the first audio actually plays — a key part of perceived latency.
Time to First Byte explained
In voice AI, time to first byte is the delay before the caller hears the start of the reply. Streaming TTS and caching common openings drive it down, making the agent feel instant.
Why it matters for voice AI in India
Understanding time to first byte helps you build voice agents that actually work for Indian callers, genuine languages, low latency, and near-cost pricing. Bolcho is built around exactly these fundamentals.
See it in a real agent
Bolcho handles this for you end-to-end. Start a voice or chat agent free.
Frequently asked questions
What does Time to First Byte mean?
How long after the agent decides what to say before the first audio actually plays — a key part of perceived latency.
Why does time to first byte matter in voice AI?
In voice AI, time to first byte is the delay before the caller hears the start of the reply. Streaming TTS and caching common openings drive it down, making the agent feel instant.