RTP, or Real-time Transport Protocol, is a network protocol designed to facilitate the delivery of audio and video data over Internet Protocol (IP) networks.

It is widely used in applications that require real-time communication, such as video conferencing, streaming media, and online gaming. RTP provides end-to-end network transport functions suitable for applications transmitting real-time data, such as interactive audio and video.

It works in conjunction with the Real-time Control Protocol (RTCP) to monitor data delivery and provide minimal control and identification functionalities.

RTP is typically used over User Datagram Protocol (UDP) to take advantage of its low-latency transmission capabilities, which are crucial for maintaining the quality and synchronization of multimedia streams.