Radio network system planning is a comprehensive optimisation task where different planning targets - coverage, capacity and quality- have a direct influence on each other and where optimised solution is a compromise of these planning areas. In order to find out the cost effective and high quality radio network plan the well-known theoretical details have to be bound with practical radio planning issues like planning phases and planning parameters. At the same time the long-term network evolution paths and the possible changes of the radio propagation environment have to be well understood....

In cellular networks, a new generation of CDMA or WCDMA-based networks will start operations in most countries in the near future. The standardized WCDMA technology generates new challenges in radio network planning, optimization and QoS management because of the dynamic nature of its radio interface and various new services and different network operating modes. Moreover, new and modified radio planning phases as well as new field measurements and emphasized QoS management are needed when UMTS networks are designed and optimized. Hence, a practical UMTS planning process must be defined in...