Teaching with Zoom vs. the Metaverse a Bandwidth Use Study
Prakarsha Malhotra, Andres Fortino · 2024
With the rise of online education and remote collaboration, understanding the bandwidth implications of different platforms is crucial. This paper investigates the bandwidth consumption of two leading remote collaboration tools: the Oculus Quest 2, a virtual reality (VR) headset, and Zoom, a widely-used video conferencing software. Through a series of controlled experiments, we measure and compare the network traffic generated by both platforms under various scenarios. Our findings indicate that while VR offers a more immersive experience, it demands higher bandwidth compared to traditional platforms like Zoom. This research provides valuable insights for educators and organizations, highlighting the trade-offs between immersion and bandwidth consumption. As VR becomes more prevalent in educational settings, such considerations will be essential for ensuring a seamless learning experience.