diff --git a/pkg/config/config.go b/pkg/config/config.go
index c059156bf..b01da016f 100644
--- a/pkg/config/config.go
+++ b/pkg/config/config.go
@@ -193,6 +193,7 @@ func NewConfig(confString string, c *cli.Context) (*Config, error) {
 		Port: 7880,
 		RTC: RTCConfig{
 			UseExternalIP:     false,
+			UseICELite:        true,
 			TCPPort:           7881,
 			UDPPort:           0,
 			ICEPortRangeStart: 0,
diff --git a/pkg/rtc/mediatracksubscriptions.go b/pkg/rtc/mediatracksubscriptions.go
index 91c98a629..c9cbff21f 100644
--- a/pkg/rtc/mediatracksubscriptions.go
+++ b/pkg/rtc/mediatracksubscriptions.go
@@ -245,7 +245,7 @@ func (t *MediaTrackSubscriptions) AddSubscriber(sub types.LocalParticipant, wr *
 	// since sub will lock, run it in a goroutine to avoid deadlocks
 	go func() {
 		sub.AddSubscribedTrack(subTrack)
-		sub.Negotiate()
+		sub.Negotiate(false)
 	}()
 
 	t.params.Telemetry.TrackSubscribed(context.Background(), subscriberID, t.params.MediaTrack.ToProto(),
@@ -708,5 +708,5 @@ func (t *MediaTrackSubscriptions) downTrackClosed(
 	}
 
 	sub.RemoveSubscribedTrack(subTrack)
-	sub.Negotiate()
+	sub.Negotiate(false)
 }
diff --git a/pkg/rtc/participant.go b/pkg/rtc/participant.go
index 82571cf2f..3c797d0ce 100644
--- a/pkg/rtc/participant.go
+++ b/pkg/rtc/participant.go
@@ -134,7 +134,8 @@ type ParticipantImpl struct {
 	onClose             func(types.LocalParticipant, map[livekit.TrackID]livekit.ParticipantID)
 	onClaimsChanged     func(participant types.LocalParticipant)
 
-	activeCounter atomic.Int32
+	activeCounter  atomic.Int32
+	firstConnected atomic.Bool
 }
 
 func NewParticipant(params ParticipantParams) (*ParticipantImpl, error) {
@@ -672,9 +673,11 @@ func (p *ParticipantImpl) Close(sendLeave bool) error {
 	return nil
 }
 
-func (p *ParticipantImpl) Negotiate() {
+// Negotiate subscriber SDP with client, if force is true, will cencel pending
+// negotiate task and negotiate immediately
+func (p *ParticipantImpl) Negotiate(force bool) {
 	if p.MigrateState() != types.MigrateStateInit {
-		p.subscriber.Negotiate()
+		p.subscriber.Negotiate(force)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -857,6 +860,9 @@ func (p *ParticipantImpl) AddSubscribedTrack(subTrack types.SubscribedTrack) {
 	p.lock.Unlock()
 
 	subTrack.OnBind(func() {
+		if p.firstConnected.Load() {
+			subTrack.DownTrack().SetConnected()
+		}
 		p.subscriber.AddTrack(subTrack)
 	})
 
@@ -1114,6 +1120,9 @@ func (p *ParticipantImpl) handleDataMessage(kind livekit.DataPacket_Kind, data [
 
 func (p *ParticipantImpl) handlePrimaryStateChange(state webrtc.PeerConnectionState) {
 	if state == webrtc.PeerConnectionStateConnected {
+		if !p.firstConnected.Swap(true) {
+			p.setDowntracksConnected()
+		}
 		prometheus.ServiceOperationCounter.WithLabelValues("ice_connection", "success", "").Add(1)
 		if !p.hasPendingMigratedTrack() && p.MigrateState() == types.MigrateStateSync {
 			p.SetMigrateState(types.MigrateStateComplete)
@@ -1798,3 +1807,14 @@ func (p *ParticipantImpl) postRtcp(pkts []rtcp.Packet) {
 		p.params.Logger.Warnw("rtcp channel full", nil)
 	}
 }
+
+func (p *ParticipantImpl) setDowntracksConnected() {
+	p.lock.RLock()
+	defer p.lock.RUnlock()
+
+	for _, t := range p.subscribedTracks {
+		if dt := t.DownTrack(); dt != nil {
+			dt.SetConnected()
+		}
+	}
+}
diff --git a/pkg/rtc/room.go b/pkg/rtc/room.go
index 568dbecc0..9e52d7949 100644
--- a/pkg/rtc/room.go
+++ b/pkg/rtc/room.go
@@ -307,7 +307,14 @@ func (r *Room) Join(participant types.LocalParticipant, opts *ParticipantOptions
 
 	if participant.SubscriberAsPrimary() {
 		// initiates sub connection as primary
-		participant.Negotiate()
+		if participant.ProtocolVersion().SupportFastStart() {
+			go func() {
+				r.subscribeToExistingTracks(participant)
+				participant.Negotiate(true)
+			}()
+		} else {
+			participant.Negotiate(true)
+		}
 	}
 
 	prometheus.ServiceOperationCounter.WithLabelValues("participant_join", "success", "").Add(1)
@@ -462,7 +469,7 @@ func (r *Room) SetParticipantPermission(participant types.LocalParticipant, perm
 			if r.subscribeToExistingTracks(participant) == 0 {
 				// start negotiating even if there are other media tracks to subscribe
 				// we'll need to set the participant up to receive data
-				participant.Negotiate()
+				participant.Negotiate(false)
 			}
 		}
 	}
diff --git a/pkg/rtc/transport.go b/pkg/rtc/transport.go
index 48db5b0b9..05f62498b 100644
--- a/pkg/rtc/transport.go
+++ b/pkg/rtc/transport.go
@@ -288,12 +288,21 @@ func (t *PCTransport) OnOffer(f func(sd webrtc.SessionDescription)) {
 	t.onOffer = f
 }
 
-func (t *PCTransport) Negotiate() {
-	t.debouncedNegotiate(func() {
+func (t *PCTransport) Negotiate(force bool) {
+	if force {
+		t.debouncedNegotiate(func() {
+			// no op to cancel pending negotiation
+		})
 		if err := t.CreateAndSendOffer(nil); err != nil {
 			t.logger.Errorw("could not negotiate", err)
 		}
-	})
+	} else {
+		t.debouncedNegotiate(func() {
+			if err := t.CreateAndSendOffer(nil); err != nil {
+				t.logger.Errorw("could not negotiate", err)
+			}
+		})
+	}
 }
 
 func (t *PCTransport) CreateAndSendOffer(options *webrtc.OfferOptions) error {
diff --git a/pkg/rtc/types/interfaces.go b/pkg/rtc/types/interfaces.go
index 0d2d54850..de4a9ac66 100644
--- a/pkg/rtc/types/interfaces.go
+++ b/pkg/rtc/types/interfaces.go
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ type LocalParticipant interface {
 	SubscriberMediaEngine() *webrtc.MediaEngine
 	SubscriberPC() *webrtc.PeerConnection
 	HandleAnswer(sdp webrtc.SessionDescription) error
-	Negotiate()
+	Negotiate(force bool)
 	ICERestart() error
 	AddSubscribedTrack(st SubscribedTrack)
 	RemoveSubscribedTrack(st SubscribedTrack)
diff --git a/pkg/rtc/types/protocol_version.go b/pkg/rtc/types/protocol_version.go
index accfb437c..071ea512e 100644
--- a/pkg/rtc/types/protocol_version.go
+++ b/pkg/rtc/types/protocol_version.go
@@ -47,3 +47,9 @@ func (v ProtocolVersion) SupportsICELite() bool {
 func (v ProtocolVersion) SupportsUnpublish() bool {
 	return v > 6
 }
+
+// SupportFastStart - if client supports fast start, server side will send media streams
+// in the first offer
+func (v ProtocolVersion) SupportFastStart() bool {
+	return v > 7
+}
diff --git a/pkg/rtc/types/typesfakes/fake_local_participant.go b/pkg/rtc/types/typesfakes/fake_local_participant.go
index 5acdf813b..edabb8df7 100644
--- a/pkg/rtc/types/typesfakes/fake_local_participant.go
+++ b/pkg/rtc/types/typesfakes/fake_local_participant.go
@@ -308,9 +308,10 @@ type FakeLocalParticipant struct {
 	migrateStateReturnsOnCall map[int]struct {
 		result1 types.MigrateState
 	}
-	NegotiateStub        func()
+	NegotiateStub        func(bool)
 	negotiateMutex       sync.RWMutex
 	negotiateArgsForCall []struct {
+		arg1 bool
 	}
 	OnClaimsChangedStub        func(func(types.LocalParticipant))
 	onClaimsChangedMutex       sync.RWMutex
@@ -2190,15 +2191,16 @@ func (fake *FakeLocalParticipant) MigrateStateReturnsOnCall(i int, result1 types
 	}{result1}
 }
 
-func (fake *FakeLocalParticipant) Negotiate() {
+func (fake *FakeLocalParticipant) Negotiate(arg1 bool) {
 	fake.negotiateMutex.Lock()
 	fake.negotiateArgsForCall = append(fake.negotiateArgsForCall, struct {
-	}{})
+		arg1 bool
+	}{arg1})
 	stub := fake.NegotiateStub
-	fake.recordInvocation("Negotiate", []interface{}{})
+	fake.recordInvocation("Negotiate", []interface{}{arg1})
 	fake.negotiateMutex.Unlock()
 	if stub != nil {
-		fake.NegotiateStub()
+		fake.NegotiateStub(arg1)
 	}
 }
 
@@ -2208,12 +2210,19 @@ func (fake *FakeLocalParticipant) NegotiateCallCount() int {
 	return len(fake.negotiateArgsForCall)
 }
 
-func (fake *FakeLocalParticipant) NegotiateCalls(stub func()) {
+func (fake *FakeLocalParticipant) NegotiateCalls(stub func(bool)) {
 	fake.negotiateMutex.Lock()
 	defer fake.negotiateMutex.Unlock()
 	fake.NegotiateStub = stub
 }
 
+func (fake *FakeLocalParticipant) NegotiateArgsForCall(i int) bool {
+	fake.negotiateMutex.RLock()
+	defer fake.negotiateMutex.RUnlock()
+	argsForCall := fake.negotiateArgsForCall[i]
+	return argsForCall.arg1
+}
+
 func (fake *FakeLocalParticipant) OnClaimsChanged(arg1 func(types.LocalParticipant)) {
 	fake.onClaimsChangedMutex.Lock()
 	fake.onClaimsChangedArgsForCall = append(fake.onClaimsChangedArgsForCall, struct {
diff --git a/pkg/sfu/buffer/buffer.go b/pkg/sfu/buffer/buffer.go
index 2e90ff272..1d5fc0ed0 100644
--- a/pkg/sfu/buffer/buffer.go
+++ b/pkg/sfu/buffer/buffer.go
@@ -312,9 +312,9 @@ func (b *Buffer) SetPLIThrottle(duration int64) {
 	b.pliThrottle = duration
 }
 
-func (b *Buffer) SendPLI() {
+func (b *Buffer) SendPLI(force bool) {
 	b.RLock()
-	if b.rtpStats == nil || b.rtpStats.TimeSinceLastPli() < b.pliThrottle {
+	if (b.rtpStats == nil || b.rtpStats.TimeSinceLastPli() < b.pliThrottle) && !force {
 		b.RUnlock()
 		return
 	}
@@ -322,7 +322,7 @@ func (b *Buffer) SendPLI() {
 	b.rtpStats.UpdatePliAndTime(1)
 	b.RUnlock()
 
-	b.logger.Debugw("send pli", "ssrc", b.mediaSSRC)
+	b.logger.Debugw("send pli", "ssrc", b.mediaSSRC, "force", force)
 	pli := []rtcp.Packet{
 		&rtcp.PictureLossIndication{SenderSSRC: rand.Uint32(), MediaSSRC: b.mediaSSRC},
 	}
diff --git a/pkg/sfu/downtrack.go b/pkg/sfu/downtrack.go
index c774829b6..4b52c2fdc 100644
--- a/pkg/sfu/downtrack.go
+++ b/pkg/sfu/downtrack.go
@@ -136,6 +136,7 @@ type DownTrack struct {
 	receiverReportListeners []ReceiverReportListener
 	listenerLock            sync.RWMutex
 	isClosed                atomic.Bool
+	connected               atomic.Bool
 
 	rtpStats *buffer.RTPStats
 
@@ -397,9 +398,11 @@ func (d *DownTrack) keyFrameRequester(generation uint32, layer int32) {
 	ticker := time.NewTicker(time.Duration(interval) * time.Millisecond)
 	defer ticker.Stop()
 	for {
-		d.logger.Debugw("sending PLI for layer lock", "generation", generation, "layer", layer)
-		d.receiver.SendPLI(layer)
-		d.rtpStats.UpdateLayerLockPliAndTime(1)
+		if d.connected.Load() {
+			d.logger.Debugw("sending PLI for layer lock", "generation", generation, "layer", layer)
+			d.receiver.SendPLI(layer, false)
+			d.rtpStats.UpdateLayerLockPliAndTime(1)
+		}
 
 		<-ticker.C
 
@@ -480,7 +483,6 @@ func (d *DownTrack) WriteRTP(extPkt *buffer.ExtPacket, layer int32) error {
 				d.stopKeyFrameRequester()
 			}
 
-			// too much log for switching target layer, only log key frame
 			if !tp.switchingToTargetLayer {
 				d.logger.Debugw("forwarding key frame", "layer", layer)
 			}
@@ -1065,7 +1067,7 @@ func (d *DownTrack) handleRTCP(bytes []byte) {
 			targetLayers := d.forwarder.TargetLayers()
 			if targetLayers != InvalidLayers {
 				d.logger.Debugw("sending PLI RTCP", "layer", targetLayers.Spatial)
-				d.receiver.SendPLI(targetLayers.Spatial)
+				d.receiver.SendPLI(targetLayers.Spatial, false)
 				d.isNACKThrottled.Store(true)
 				d.rtpStats.UpdatePliTime()
 				pliOnce = false
@@ -1151,6 +1153,17 @@ func (d *DownTrack) handleRTCP(bytes []byte) {
 	}
 }
 
+func (d *DownTrack) SetConnected() {
+	if !d.connected.Swap(true) {
+		if d.bound.Load() && d.kind == webrtc.RTPCodecTypeVideo {
+			targetLayers := d.forwarder.TargetLayers()
+			if targetLayers != InvalidLayers {
+				d.receiver.SendPLI(targetLayers.Spatial, true)
+			}
+		}
+	}
+}
+
 func (d *DownTrack) retransmitPackets(nacks []uint16) {
 	if d.sequencer == nil {
 		return
diff --git a/pkg/sfu/receiver.go b/pkg/sfu/receiver.go
index a8f081899..9a4129678 100644
--- a/pkg/sfu/receiver.go
+++ b/pkg/sfu/receiver.go
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ type TrackReceiver interface {
 
 	GetAudioLevel() (float64, bool)
 
-	SendPLI(layer int32)
+	SendPLI(layer int32, force bool)
 
 	SetUpTrackPaused(paused bool)
 	SetMaxExpectedSpatialLayer(layer int32)
@@ -440,14 +440,14 @@ func (w *WebRTCReceiver) sendRTCP(packets []rtcp.Packet) {
 	}
 }
 
-func (w *WebRTCReceiver) SendPLI(layer int32) {
+func (w *WebRTCReceiver) SendPLI(layer int32, force bool) {
 	// TODO :  should send LRR (Layer Refresh Request) instead of PLI
 	buff := w.getBuffer(layer)
 	if buff == nil {
 		return
 	}
 
-	buff.SendPLI()
+	buff.SendPLI(force)
 }
 
 func (w *WebRTCReceiver) SetRTCPCh(ch chan []rtcp.Packet) {
diff --git a/test/client/client.go b/test/client/client.go
index f62365ddf..eebd76b10 100644
--- a/test/client/client.go
+++ b/test/client/client.go
@@ -281,7 +281,7 @@ func (c *RTCClient) Run() error {
 			// if publish only, negotiate
 			if !msg.Join.SubscriberPrimary {
 				c.publisherNegotiated.Store(true)
-				c.publisher.Negotiate()
+				c.publisher.Negotiate(false)
 			}
 
 			logger.Infow("join accepted, awaiting offer", "participant", msg.Join.Participant.Identity)
@@ -342,7 +342,7 @@ func (c *RTCClient) Run() error {
 				if err := c.publisher.PeerConnection().RemoveTrack(sender); err != nil {
 					logger.Errorw("Could not unpublish track", err)
 				}
-				c.publisher.Negotiate()
+				c.publisher.Negotiate(false)
 			}
 			delete(c.trackSenders, sid)
 			delete(c.localTracks, sid)
@@ -502,7 +502,7 @@ func (c *RTCClient) AddTrack(track *webrtc.TrackLocalStaticSample, path string)
 	}
 	c.localTracks[ti.Sid] = track
 	c.trackSenders[ti.Sid] = sender
-	c.publisher.Negotiate()
+	c.publisher.Negotiate(false)
 	writer = NewTrackWriter(c.ctx, track, path)
 
 	// write tracks only after ICE connectivity
@@ -604,7 +604,7 @@ func (c *RTCClient) ensurePublisherConnected() error {
 
 	if c.publisher.PeerConnection().ConnectionState() == webrtc.PeerConnectionStateNew {
 		// start negotiating
-		c.publisher.Negotiate()
+		c.publisher.Negotiate(false)
 	}
 
 	dcOpen := atomic.NewBool(false)