## Ethereum Scalability Options: Why Bandwidth Priority

To understand Ethereum's scalability roadmap, we must start with a fundamental question. Does the blockchain want to be faster, or does it want to handle more transactions simultaneously? The developers' answer is the latter.

### Natural Limitations on Speed Improvements

Drastically reducing latency is more difficult than it seems. It stems from the physical limit of the speed of light and the need for nodes around the world to synchronize information. Supporting a wide range of environments—from low-spec hardware in rural areas to data center-grade servers—makes it impossible to reduce latency indefinitely.

However, improvements of 2 to 4 seconds are achievable without major trade-offs through methods like optimizing P2P communication and adjusting the number of participating nodes per slot. But these are not revolutionary changes.

### The True Value of Bandwidth Expansion

On the other hand, increasing throughput is entirely different. By leveraging innovative technologies such as PeerDAS(Peer Data Availability Sampling) and zero-knowledge proofs(ZKP), it is calculated that the network can handle thousands of times more transactions than the current level. This goes beyond simple speed improvements and addresses the fundamental capacity issues of the platform.

The key point is that such scalability can be achieved while maintaining network decentralization and resistance to censorship. This means anyone can operate a node easily, while still meeting the demands of users worldwide.

### Layer 2 solutions are still essential

So, what is the role of layer 2 solutions? There are applications that require faster response times than the basic block time, which can be considered Ethereum's "pulse." Especially as AI-based services develop and microsecond-level interactions become crucial, the importance of layer 2 solutions will continue to grow.

Ultimately, Ethereum's scalability philosophy is about securing the maximum possible throughput within practical constraints rather than absolute speed. This is the way to preserve the value of a decentralized network while evolving into a global payment system.