MOBILE NETWORK DESIGN AND OPTIMIZATION

The rapid design and initial deployment of cellular networks is now co mmonplace throughout the world. Once launched explosive growth in the customer base is the norm - in the UK, for example, one million new cu stomers are being added every 6 months, out-stripping the rate of fixe d network connections. This presents the very significant challenge of how to rapidly roll out networks with the desired quality and capacit y, yet at minimum cost. In this paper skills, tools and techniques are presented that BT Laboratories has developed and exploited to support the growth of the Cellnet analogue (TAGS) and digital (GSM) cellular networks and the initial design of GSM networks for overseas licence b ids.