Issues in the design of future mobile communication systems

The success of third-generation mobile communication systems, e.g., UMTS, will depend on the quality of service (QoS) that the mobile users will perceive, and whether the QoS levels will be provided in a cost efficient manner. In this perspective, the importance of tools for "proper" planning of a mobile system becomes straightforward. In the context of this paper, we present such planning tools related to the design of future mobile communication systems. In addition, we present a platform that enables the assessment of the derived solutions by means of simulation.