1.

What is UMTS?
UMTS is one of the Third Generation (3G) mobile systems being developed within the ITU's
IMT-2000 framework. It is a realisation of a new generation of broadband multi-media mobile
telecommunications technology. The coverage area of service provision is to be world wide in
the form of FLMTS (Future Land Mobile Telecommunications Services and now called
IMT2000). The coverage will be provided by a combination of cell sizes ranging from 'in
building' Pico Cells to Global Cells provided by satellite, giving service to the remote regions of
the world. The UMTS is not a replacement of 2nd generation technologies (e.g. GSM,
DCS1800, CDMA, DECT etc.), which will continue to evolve to their full potential.

2.

What are the optimization tools you use?

Drive test, analysis, others?
2. Are System Information Blocks (SIB) transmitted all the time?
No, system information block is multiplexed with synchronization channel. Synchronization
channel occupies the first time slot (TS) and SIB occupies the other 9 time slots.
3. How does UE camp (synchronize) to a NodeB?
1. UE uses the primary synchronization channel (P-SCH) for slot alignment (TS
synchronization).
2. After aligning to NodeB time slot, UE then uses secondary synchronization channel (S-SCH)
to obtain frame synchronization and scrambling code group identification.
3. UE then uses scrambling code ID to obtain CPICH, thus camping to a NodeB.
4. What could be the cause of soft handover failure?
UE issue.
Resource unavailable at target NodeB.
Inadequate SHO threshold defined.
Etc.
5. What are the three sets in handover?
The 3 sets in handover are:
Active set the list of cells which are in soft handover with UE.
Monitored set the list of cells not in active set but RNC has told UE to monitor.
Detected set list of cells detected by the UE but not configured in the neighbor list.
6. What are the major differences between GSM and UMTS handover decision?
GSM:
Time-based mobile measures of RxLev and RxQual mobile sends measurement report every

SACH period (480ms).

BSC instructs mobile to handover based on these reports.
UMTS:
Event-triggered reporting UE sends a measurement report only on certain event triggers.
UE plays more part in the handover decision.
7. What are the events 1a, 1b, 1c, etc.?
e1a a Primary CPICH enters the reporting range, i.e. add a cell to active set.
e1b a primary CPICH leaves the reporting range, i.e. removed a cell from active set.
e1c a non-active primary CPICH becomes better than an active primary CPICH, i.e. replace a
cell.
e1d: change of best cell.
e1e: a Primary CPICH becomes better than an absolute threshold.
e1f: a Primary CPICH becomes worse than an absolute threshold.
8. What are event 2a-2d and 3a-3d?
Events 2a-2d are for inter-frequency handover measurements and events 3a-3d are for IRAT
handover measurements.
e3a: the UMTS cell quality has moved below a threshold and a GSM cell quality had moved
above a threshold.
e3b: the GSM cell quality has moved below a threshold.
e3c: the GSM cell quality has moved above a threshold.
e3d: there was a change in the order of best GSM cell list.
9. What may happen when theres a missing neighbor or an incorrect neighbor?
Access failure and handover failure: may attempt to access to a wrong scrambling code.
Dropped call: UE not aware of a strong scrambling code, strong interference.
Poor data throughput.
Poor voice quality.
Etc.
10. What can we try to improve when access failure is high?
When access failure is high we can try the following to improve RACH performance:
Increase maximum UE transmit power allowed: Max_allowed_UL_TX_Power.
Increase power quickly: power_Offset_P0.
Increase number of preambles sent in a given preamble cycle: preamble_Retrans_Max.
Increase the number of preamble cycles: max_Preamble_Cycle.
Increase number of RRC Connection Request retries: N300.
11. What are the conditions you typically set to trigger IRAT handover?
RSCP and Ec/Io are used to trigger IRAT handover:
RSCP ? -100dBm.
Ec/Io ? -16dBm.

12. What are the typical KPIs you use to measure a network and what criteria?
Access failure rate (? 2%).
Call setup time (CS: over 95% of the time < 6-second for mobile-to-PSTN, 9-second for
mobile-mobile. PS: over 95% of the time < 5-second).
Dropped call rate (? 2%).
BLER: over 95% of the blocks ? 2%.
Average DL/UL throughput for PSD: 210kbps for loaded, 240kbps for unloaded.
13. What is the typical UE transmit power?
Varies most of the time below 0dBm.
14. Have your used Ericsson TEMS? If so:
Do you know how to create command sequence?
What are the call sequences you typically have? CS long call, CS short call, PSD call, etc.
What are the typical commands you have for CS and PS call?
Do you regularly stop and restart a new log file? Why and when to stop and start a new file?
How do you stop a log file? Stop command sequence first, wait and make sure all equipment
are in idle mode before stop logging.
15. Did you work on neighbor prioritization?
16. What is the typical event sequence of IRAT Handover from 3G to 2G
Event 2d entering into compressed mode measurement of 2G candidates Event 3a
Verification of 2G resources Handover from UTRAN Command from 3G RNC to UE
17. What are the possible causes for an IRAT Failure?
Missing 2G relations
Non availability of 2G Resources
Poor 2G Coverage
Missing 3G Relations
18. What is Paging Success Ratio? What is the typical PSR that you have seen in a
UMTS network?
PSR Paging Responses to the Paging Attempts
About 90%
19. What are the possible causes for a lower PSR?
Non-continuous RF Coverage UE going in and out of coverage area frequently
Very High Periodic Location Update Timer Keeping UEs in VLR long time after it moved out
of coverage
Lower Paging Channel Power
Access Channel Parameter Issues
Delayed Location Update when crossing the LA / CN Boundaries
20. What are the possible causes for a Drop Call on a UMTS network?
Poor Coverage (DL / UL)

Pilot Pollution / Pilot Spillover

Missing Neighbor
SC Collisions
Delayed Handovers
No resource availability (Congestion) for Hand in
Loss of Synchronization
Fast Fading
Delayed IRAT Triggers
Hardware Issues
External Interference
21. A UE is served by 2 or 3 SC in AS. It is identifying a SC from 3rd tier, Stronger
and meets the criteria for Event1a or Event1c. But SHO did not happen because of
missing neighbor relations? How do you optimize this issue?
Study the Pilot spillover from the 3rd Tier SC and control its coverage
Even after controlling the coverage, if the spillover is there, Add the neighbor.
22. A UE is served by 2 SC in AS, a SC is coming in to Monitored Set and Event1a is
triggered. But UE is not receiving Active Set Update from NodeB and the call drops.
What could be possible causes for this drop?
Delayed Handover
Loss of Synchronization
Fast Fading
Pilot Pollution / Spillover issues
23. What is Hard Handover in UMTS? When will it happen?
Hard Handover in UMTS is a break before make type Handover
It can happen in the inter RNC boundaries where there is no Iur link.
24. What is the typical Call Setup Time for a 3G UE to 3G UE Call? What are the
possible RF related causes for a delayed CST in this type of call?
6 to 9 seconds
Multiple RRC Attempts (UE is on poor coverage need more than Access Attempt)
Delayed Page Responses
High Load on Paging and/or Access Channel
Paging / Access Parameters
25. What is Soft Handover Overhead? What is the typical value in UMTS network?
Soft Handover Overhead is calculated in two ways. 1) Average Active Set Size Total Traffic /
Primary Traffic. 2) Secondary / Total Traffic
Typical Values are like 1.7 (Avg Active Set Size) or 35% (Secondary / Total )
26. What will happen to the Soft Handover Overhead when you apply OCNS on the network?
And Why?
With OCNS, the interference (load) increases. This leads to reduction in Ec/Io of a Pilot, which
reduces the pilot spillovers. Reduction in Pilot Spillover will reduce the Soft Handover
Overhead.

27. What are the possible causes for an Access Failure in UMTS?
Missing Neighbors
Poor Coverage
Pilot Pollution / Spillover
Poor Cell Reselection
Core Network Issues
Non availability of resources. Admission Control denies
Hardware Issues
Improper RACH Parameters
External Interference
28. (FOR ERICSSON EXPERIENCED) What is RTWP? What is the significance of it?
Received Total Wide-band Power
It gives the Total Uplink Power (Interference) level received at NodeB
29. (FOR ERICSSON EXPERIENCED) What is the System Reference Point at which all
the Power Levels are measured in Ericsson NodeB?
System Ref Point for E/// NodeB is at the output of TMA (Between TMA and Antenna)
30. What are the typical values for reportingrange1a and reportingrange1b?
3 dB and 5 dB respectively.
31. What will be the impact when you change reportingrange1a from 3 to 4 dB and
timetotrigger1a 100 to 320 ms, without changing any other parameters?
Reduction in number of Event1a
Delayed Event1a trigger
Reduction in Average Active Set Size
Delay in Event1a could increase DL interference, which could lead to a drop call or increase in
Average Power Per User (reduction in cell capacity)
32. What is Admission Control?
Admission Control is an algorithm which controls the Resource Allocation for a new call and
additional resource allocation for an existing call. Incase, if a cell is heavily a loaded and
enough resources in terms of power, codes or CEs are not available, admission control denies
permission for the additional resource requirement.
33. What is Congestion Control?
Congestion Control monitors the dynamic utilization of specific cell resources and insures that
overload conditions do not occur. If overload conditions do occur, Congestion Control will
immediately restrict Admission Control from granting additional resources. In addition,
Congestion Control will attempt to resolve the congestion by either down switching, or
terminating existing users. Once the congestion is corrected, the congestion resolution actions
will cease, and Admission Control will be enabled.
How to calculate a WCDMA link budget?
To calculate it you need to know:
- Type of service (data type and speed)
- Type of environment (terrain, building penetration)

- Behaviour and type of mobiles (speed, max power level)

- System configuration (BTS antennas, BTS power, cable losses, handover gain)
- Required coverage probability
Please see an example on Link Budget page
.
What are the UMTS frequencies and channel spacing?
1900-1920 and 2010-2025 MHz Time Division Duplex (TDD, TD/CDMA) Unpaired, channel spacing is 5
MHz and raster is 200 kHz. Tx and Rx are not separated in frequency
1920-1980 and 2110-2170 MHz Frequency Division Duplex (FDD, W-CDMA) Paired uplink and
downlink, channel spacing is 5 MHz and raster is 200 kHz. An Operator needs 3 - 4 channels (2x15 or
2x20 MHz) to be able to build a high-speed, high-capacity network.
1980-2010 and 2170-2200 MHz Satellite uplink and downlink
What are the UMTS air interface logical channels?
Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH)
Paging Control Channel (PCCH)
Dedicated Control Channel (DCCH)
Common Control Channel (CCCH)
Dedicated Traffic Channel (DTCH)
Common Traffic Channel (CTCH)
For complete listing of logical, transport and physical channels including directions and mapping
seeUMTS Channels page
What are the UMTS data rates of the services?
2.048Mb/s for pico-cell (and micro-cell) applications.
384kb/s for medium size cells. (micro and small macro cells)
144kb/s and 64kb/s for large cell applications. (Large macro cells)
14.4kb/s for continuous low speed data applications in very large cells.
12.2kb/s for speech (4.75kb/s - 12.2kb/s)
9.6kb/s globally (satellite)
How does UMTS paging work?
First, get the latest 3GPP specifications 25-211, 25-304 and 25-331
Note:
PI = Paging Indicator (value calculated by higher layers)
Pq = Paging Indicator (indicator set by physical layer)
25-304 Chapter 8 shows how Paging Occasion and PI is calculated:
Paging Occasion = {(IMSI div K) mod (DRX cycle length div PBP)} * PBP + n * DRX cycle length +
Frame Offset
Where n = 0,1,2 as long as SFN is below its maximum value.
PI = DRX Index mod Np

Where DRX Index = IMSI div 8192

'In FDD mode, Np = (18,36,72,144) is the number of Page Indicators per frame, and is given in IE
"Number of PI per frame", part of system information in FDD mode.'
25-211 (FDD) Chapter 5.3.3.10 shows how Pq is calculated for channel mapping, the structure of
paging indicator channel and the mapping of paging indicators Pq to PICH bits.
25-331 is also worth reading.

Which modulation scheme is being used in UMTS?

UMTS WCDMA modulation is Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) with Root-raised cosine pulse
shaping filters (roll off = 0.22)
Read more about UMTS technical details from our UMTS WCDMA page
Where can I find information about MAC and RLC protocols?
Download and read 3GPP documents about RLC/MAC, start with 25 series. Documents also show
message mapping to channels:

- Base Station System

(BSS) interface; Radio Link Control/ Medium Access Control (RLC/MAC) protocol
Earlier FAQ Answer gives you some help how to download those

How is data compression done in UMTS?

Video and music compression will be done in application level. 3G phone (and network
application servers) will have programs (or you will be downloading them) that records and
displays video or music. Those programs have build-in data compression features. Good
examples are MP3 and other music programs. MP3 codec includes data compression and most
current music player understands it. For image and video there are several standards including
JPEG, MPEG-4, H.263, Microsoft media player etc. available.
From 3GPP 26.234 7.4 Video:
ITU-T Recommendation H.263 [22] profile 0 level 10 shall be supported. This is the mandatory
video decoder for the PSS. In addition, PSS should support:
- H.263 [23] Profile 3 Level 10 decoder;
- MPEG-4 Visual Simple Profile Level 0 decoder, [24] and [25].
These two video decoders are optional to implement.
NOTE: ITU-T Recommendation H.263 [22] baseline has been mandated to ensure that videoenabled PSS support a minimum baseline video capability and interoperability can be
guaranteed (an H.263 [22] baseline bit stream can be decoded by both H.263 [22] and MPEG4 decoders). It also provides a simple upgrade path for mandating more advanced decoders in
the future (from both the ITU-T and ISO MPEG).

Read more about video coding:

ftp://ftp.3gpp.org/specs/latest/Rel-4/26_series/26111-400.zip
ftp://ftp.3gpp.org/specs/latest/Rel-4/26_series/26911-400.zip
ftp://ftp.3gpp.org/specs/latest/Rel-4/26_series/26911-400.zip

ftp://ftp.3gpp.org/specs/latest/Rel-4/26_series/26233-400.zip
ftp://ftp.3gpp.org/specs/latest/Rel-4/26_series/26234-400.zip
Consider downloading the latest releases 5 (March2002) or release 6 (not yet frozen) files.

Is there any interface from UMTS core network to other mobile networks?
UMTS specifications do not have any special interface planned for other mobile networks, but
all telephone networks can be connected to UMTS core network with standard S7 (or other)
signalling system using E1s or T1s. Than enables voice calls to be made to all other telephone
networks. If other networks support additional services like "call forwarding", "calling line
identity", fax, slow-speed data ect, technically that is possible to implement this between
networks.
All telephone networks are designed to work with each other and UMTS networks will use
standard interfaces towards all other networks. S7 and IP (internet protocol) will be the most
commonly used interfaces standard, but all UMTS vendors can offer tens of different countryspecific interface protocols if required.

What will be a 3G Killer Application?

Most people have their own view what the 3G Killer Application(s) will be. Some say that there
will not be a single application, but a palette of services. Most likely there will not be only a
single application that becomes very popular and at the same time makes a lot of money to
the operator. Email, voice(!), messaging, music/video streaming are popular bets for money
making applications. If you look any reports about 3G services, m-commerce and location
based services are predicted to become very popular. Maybe the pricing will decide what will
be a popular service.
Old phrase is "The easiest way to predict the future is to invent it" will apply here. Operators
and application providers have an opportunity to create their own killer applications.

What are the UMTS Mobile Multimedia services?

UMTS Forum's Market Aspects Group has identified seven common lifestyle attributes for
mobile multimedia applications. Here is a list of possible type of services that will be available
in 3G networks:
Fun: WWW, video, post card, snapshots, text, picture and multimedia messaging, datacast,
personalisation applications (ring tone, screen saver, desk top), jukebox, virtual companion /
pet ...
Work: Rich call with image and data stream, IP telephony, B2B ordering and logistics,
information exchange, personal information manager, dairy, scheduler, note pad, 2-way video
conferencing, directory services, travel assistance, work group, telepresence, FTP, instant
voicemail, colour fax ...
Media: Push newspaper and magazines, advertising, classified ...
Shopping: E-commerce, e-cash, e-wallet, credit card, telebanking, automatic transaction,
auction, micro-billing shopping ...

Entertainment: News, stock market, sports, games, lottery, gambling, music, video,
concerts, adult content ...
Education: Online libraries, search engines, remote attendance, field research ...
Peace of Mind: Remote surveillance, location tracking, emergency use ...
Health: Telemedicine, remote diagnose and heath monitoring ...
Automation: Home automation, traffic telematics, machine-machine communication
(telemetry) ...
Travel: location sensitive information and guidance, e-tour, location awareness, time tables,
e-ticketing ...
Add-on: TV, radio, PC, access to remote computer, MP3 player, camera, video camera,
watch, pager, GPS, remote control unit ...
More about 3G applications

Can UMTS mobile location be tracked?

The wideband nature of the UTRA/FDD facilitates the high resolution in position location. The
duration of one chip (3.84Mcps) correspond to approximately 78 meters in propagation
distance. If the delay estimation operates on the accuracy of samples/chip then the achievable
maximum accuracy is approximately 20 meters. There are other inaccuracies that will cause
degradation to the positioning but 20 meters can be considered as best possible positioning
performance. UMTS specifies that it will provide location information for mobiles to an
accuracy of 50m. With GPS assistance, maybe even 10 meter accuracy is possible.

When are the UMTS networks in service?

Japan and Korea has 3G services running and in December 2001 two UMTS networks have
been launched, but UMTS mobiles will arrive 3Q/2002. Quite a few UMTS networks will be
launched in early 2003 in Europe.
See the list all live UMTS networks

Will 2G / 2.5G phones be able to use all UMTS' applications?

GSM (or other 2G) phones will not be able to use all features, because of data speed, build in
memory and applications, display technology etc. Application providers and operators are very
unlikely to try to implement complex feature to GSM, money is going to UMTS services. GPRS
phone users will be able to use most of the UMTS services; probably only location based and
very high rate data services cannot be implemented. But all this it depends on if operators
want to implement those. All basic services like voice and messaging will flow between all
systems.

Which level of UMTS standard will the network be launched in 2002?

All vendors have different software schedules and development status is a big secret. Now it
looks like top vendors will probably have 3GPP Release 4 (with July 2001 correction) level

software by the late 2002 launch date. (Some vendors were considering launching with '99
release in 2002)
Will the future 3G handsets be compatible with 2G systems and PCs?
Some of the 3G mobiles will be dualband UMTS/GSM handsets (available late 2002?) and will
be able to perform UMTS-GSM handovers. Current GSM phones will not work in 3G networks.
Several SIM card manufacturers now offer cards compatible with 2G and 3G
systems. Cellular3G, for example, will offer PCMCIA W-CDMA 3G-modem cards for PCs.
3G cdma2000 phones will be backward compatible and will work in cdmaOne
networks. Airprime, for example, offers CDMA2000 1xEV-DO PC cards for 3G networks.

How many Base Stations are needed for an UMTS network?

There are several factors:
- Required coverage areas according to a license agreement (link budget will determine the
cell spacing)
- Required capacity according to license agreement and initial customer and operator
demands.
- Amount of frequencies carries have. (More frequencies, less interference, longer cell spacing)
- Ability to get BTS site locations. (Normally co-location requirements with used 2G sites)
- Financing available for network build.
- Economical factor to build sites.
- Design opinions and experience of companies and people bidding for the design job and
eventually implementing the plan.
- And probably in a long run the capacity, service, and coverage requirement from customers.
Rollout will be very similar to 2G network rollouts. First phase of rollouts in UK size market will
probably be 1000 base station in urban areas. Within 5 year about site count will increase to
5000 sites and eventually up to 10000 sites depending how successful the business is.