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TAKUMI SUGATA
TAKUMI SUGATA

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Understanding Mobile Generation with Netflix

#mobilegeneration #comptia #network

Introduction

While studying for CompTIA Network+, I couldn't totally remember each speed for mobile generations; 3G・4G・5G.

The numbers alone meant nothing to me - I had no way to visualize what they actually felt like. Once I matched each generation's speed to Netflix streaming quality, everything clicked.

What is Theoretical Max and Typical Speed

There are two kinds of the speed in mobile communication.

Theoretical Max（ Theoretical value）
　→ The max speed under the ideal condition
　→ No obstacles, directly beside the base station, no congestion

Typical Speed（ Typical value）
　→ The average speed in the actual use environment
　→ Inside buildings, far from base station, congestion
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The reason why each speed is different 

Radio waves interference
　→ Buildings ・ walls ・ obstacles weak signal

Distance from base station
　→ The farther the base station, the weaker the signal

Number of simultaneous connection
　→ Many users sharing the same base station causes speed to be distributed across all connections

Frequency band
　→ 5G, use high frequency (millimeter wave) , is fast, but short range
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Understanding familiar example 

Theoretical Max = The maximum speed achieved by driving on a highway with no traffic, no traffic lights, and no obstacles

Typical Speed   = The actual average speed in commuting rushing hours
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Even the highest-performing standard is affected by factors such as interference, distance, and the number of simultaneous connections.

The speed of each mobile generation

Generation Theoretical Max Typical Speed
3G 2Mbps 384Kbsp〜2Mbps
4G（LTE） 1Gbps 30〜150Mbps
5G 20Gbps 100Mbps〜3Gbps

Imagine in Netflix

I know it is too hard to think of the just numbers, so I gave an example about Netflix.

the standard number

Watch Netflix HD videos = Need approximately 5Mbps
Watch Netflix 4K videos = Need approximately 25Mbps
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3G (Typical Speed：384Kbps〜2Mbps） 

・Netflix HD → Impossible（ Need 5Mbps, but not stable）
・YouTube (low video quality) → Just barely
・Send message → No problem
・Google search → A bit slower

Downloading time for a 1GB file : about 20 minutes ～ 1 hour
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This generation spread in 2000s was the first standard that enabled smartphone internet access, but it is no longer in use today.

4G LTE (Typical Speed：30〜150Mbps) 

・Netflix HD → Comfortable（ Enough by 5Mbps）
・Netflix 4K → Limited (Need 25Mbps, just barely reached) 
・Video call → Comfortable
・Downloading huge size application → A few minute

Downloading time for a 1GB file : about 3 minutes ～ 7 minutes
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LTE stands for Long Term Evolution
This is the most common standard in today's world.

5G（Typical Speed：100Mbps〜3Gbps） 

・Netflix 4K → No problem at all - overwhelmingly faster than the required 25Mbps
・8K Video → Possible
・Simultaneously connection with multiple devices → Comfortable
・Downloading 1GB size application → tens of seconds

Downloading time for a 1GB file : about 10 seconds ～ 1 minute
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The theoretical maximum of 5G is 20 times faster than of 4G.
But, typical value highly depends on the environments.
This technology is expected to use in the field for IoT, automatic device and smart city.

Array of these three generation 

Downloading time of 1GB：
3G  → about 20 minutes 〜 an hour
4G  → about 3 〜 7 minutes
5G  → about 10 seconds 〜1 minute
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Features of each generation

3G

・Spread in 2000's 
・This is the generation for the first time in smartphone use with Internet
・No service in today's world
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4G LTE

・LTE = Long Term Evolution
・Main communication standard in today's world
・Video streaming is comfortable in this generation
・The most common standard over the world
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5G

・Theoretical value is as 20 times as 4G
・Simultaneously connection is as 100 times as 4G
・Latency is approximately 1/30th of 4G (about 1ms)
・Expected to use in the area of IoT ・ automatic drive ・ smart city
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Summary

Generation Theoretical Max Typical Speed Netflix HD Netflix 4K
3G 2Mbps 384Kbps〜2Mbps ✗ ✗
4G LTE 1Gbps 30〜150Mbps ✓ △
5G 20Gbps 100Mbps〜3Gbps ✓ ✓

How to memorize

It is important to memorize that relative speed in each generation rather than detailed numbers

3G  = Mbps unit（ Cannot totally watch Netflix HD）
4G  = tens Mbps（ Comfortable to watch Netflix HD ・limited to watch 4K video）
5G  = Hundreds of Mbps 〜 Gbps（ Netflix 4K with no issues）
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Conclusion

I used to struggle with memorizing the speeds for each generation.
Once I connected them to real-world download times, everything fell into place.
Attaching numbers to real experiences makes them far easier to retain.

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