Coverage comparison of UMTS networks in 900 and 2100 MHz frequency bands

Network operators' growing interest in deploying UMTS in 900 MHz is driven by better coverage compared to UMTS at 2100 MHz, especially in rural and new areas. Lower frequency bands provide a number of benefits, such as better radio wave propagation, improved indoor coverage, cost efficient electronic devices and above all enormous CAPEX savings. This paper presents a coverage comparison between UMTS networks in 900 MHz and 2100 MHz frequency bands. Three key performance indicators, i.e., Pilot RSCP, E
_c
/I
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and SIR are formulated and further employed to compare the expected coverage of these networks. The analyses are conducted by using AIRCOM International's radio network planning tool, ASSET. The results are presented in terms of RSCP and SIR coverage, highlighting the benefits of UMTS in 900 MHz band.