A Dimensioning Study for UMTS Core Networks

ABSTRACT The current literature provides many practical tools or theoretical methods to design, plan, and dimension Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) and Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio networks but overlooks the algorithms of the network planning and dimensioning for core networks of GSM, UMTS and IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS). This paper introduces an algorithm for traffic, bandwidth and throughput dimensioning of the network entities in the UMTS core network. The analysis is based on the traffic and throughput generated or absorbed in the interfaces of the network entities in the UMTS core network. Finally a case study is provided to verify the algorithms created for UMTS core network. This paper is aimed at helping UMTS network operators dimension an optimum network size and build an optimum network structure to deliver an optimum quality of service for users. The algorithms developed in the paper have been successfully applied in dimensioning a nationwide UMTS network in North Africa and adopted in an optimization tool by a mobile operator in the United States in 2008-09.