Network performance assessment platform for third generation mobile systems

The success of third generation mobile communications systems, e.g., UMTS, will depend on the quality of service (QoS) that the mobile users will perceive, and on whether the QoS levels will be provided in a cost efficient manner. In this perspective, the importance of tools for the "proper" planning of a mobile system becomes straightforward. An important phase in the overall planning process is verification. In this paper we present such a practice that relies on the development of a UMTS simulator that provides the means for modelling UMTS networks, and their environment. Our focus is on the structure of the tool and on an initial set of results.