Core network planning, optimization and forecasting in GSM/GPRS networks

Despite the wide theoretical and technical knowledge about the capabilities of Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) elements, there is no specific methodology for designing from scratch either the network sub-system (NSS) or the base station subsystem (BSS) parts or optimizing and expanding the existing NSS/BSS architecture, by forecasting future requirements in terms of network elements/resources. Thus, for an evolving network operator who wishes to have a network running at lower cost, offering a competitive quality of service (QoS) to its subscribers, a planning, optimization and forecasting tool (POFTool) is of pivotal importance. This paper aims at identifying the main features of a proper POFTool that efficiently supports dimensioning and optimization studies for a combined GSM/General Packet Radio System (GPRS) network and proposes an evaluation methodology which enables prioritization of alternative core network configurations according to operator-driven criteria.