# RTP
> Real-time Transport Protocol – carries voice and video media in VoIP calls

RTP (Real-time Transport Protocol) delivers audio and video streams during VoIP calls.

## What is RTP?
Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) is the standard protocol for delivering audio and video over IP networks. While [SIP](/voip-glossary/sip/) handles call signaling (setup, teardown), RTP carries the actual voice and video media between endpoints.

## RTP and SRTP
Standard RTP sends media unencrypted. [SRTP](/voip-glossary/srtp/) (Secure RTP) adds encryption and authentication, protecting the media stream from eavesdropping. For sensitive communications, SRTP is essential — and most modern softphones support it by default.

## Related Terms
- [SIP](/voip-glossary/sip/)
- [SRTP](/voip-glossary/srtp/)