Fermi estimate of how much data per second Google Maps moves over the network

How much network bandwidth does Google Maps need? Build an estimate, showing your equation, the assumption behind each input and your final figure. ```hint Split the traffic Break the traffic into the main things people do in Maps and estimate the data each one moves, before multiplying by how many people do it. ``` ### Clarifying Questions - Should the estimate cover data sent to users, data users send back (location, photos, reviews), or both? - Is the scope global or a single country? - Do you want the daily average or the peak load the network must be provisioned for? - Should traffic from other websites and apps that embed Maps through its developer APIs be counted? ### What a Strong Answer Covers - A clarified scope: direction, geography, and average versus peak - A clear equation that splits traffic by user activity, with users, frequency and data size for each - Assumptions stated as round, labeled numbers, with reasoning for the largest drivers - Correct arithmetic and unit conversion from bytes per day to bits per second - A sanity check, and how caching and peak load change the answer ### Follow-up Questions - Which single assumption moves your answer most, and how would you pin it down? - How would wider use of offline maps, or a better on-device cache, change the figure? - How does the estimate change if the interviewer wants the capacity needed for one region at its evening peak?