Capacity Calculations

The capacity of a GSM-based network is dependent on the frequency reuse scheme and the
amount of the operator’s spectrum. Frequency reuse schemes are used to divide the spectrum
into unique groups of channels, so that the frequency planner can methodically assign channels
to a network of cells. The reuse scheme is chosen to minimize the amount of interference in a
network of cells, but also has an impact on the capacity of a particular site.

The amount of spectrum a license holder has must be considered as well. Since the GSM channel
is 200 kHz wide, five channels can fit into 1 MHz of spectrum. Therefore, a European operator,
with 25 MHz of spectrum, will have 62 channels available; whereas, a PCS operator in the
United States, with 30 MHz of spectrum, will have 75 channels available. Remember that half of
the spectrum is for downlink and half is for uplink.

A GSM market that has just launched commercial service will likely use a 4/12-reuse scheme.
Using a 4/12-reuse scheme will have less capacity (not likely to be a problem as the network
turns on), but more importantly, the larger distance to reuse will minimize interference. As
subscribers are added to the network, the capacity increases to the point that frequencies must be
reused over shorter distances. Using frequency hopping, the GSM network may be frequency
planned using all of the channels within three sites. Frequency hopping is explained in a later
section.

The number of channels available per sector when considering the two reuse schemes is
calculated as follows:

To calculate the capacity of the network, the Erlang capacity of each sector must be identified.
The Erlang capacity of each sector is calculated by considering the desired Grade Of Service
(GOS) and the number of voice channels per sector. It is industry-accepted practice to design a
network with 1 - 2% GOS. The number of voice channels per sector is calculated with respect to
the number of RF carriers per sector. Generally, eight time slots are considered for each carrier
except the first carrier, which dedicates one or two time slots for control and messaging. By
using an Erlang-B table, the Erlangs per sector are determined.
The Erlang capacity of the network is calculated as follows:

Comparing the total capacity of networks using the two different reuse schemes is depicted as
follow.

Capacity of Network Using 3/9 Reuse Scheme

Total Number of Cells Required 100
Number of Voice Channels/ Sector 22
Blocking Rate 1 %
Erlangs/Sector 13.65
Sectors per Site 3
Erlangs/Site 40.95
Erlang Capacity of Network 4095

Capacity of Network Using 4/12 Reuse Scheme

Total Number of Cells Required 100
Number of Voice Channels/ Sector 14
Blocking Rate 1 %
Erlangs/Sector 7.351681
Sectors per Site 3
Erlangs/Site 22.05
Erlang Capacity of Network 2205

In the case of a network using a 3/9-reuse scheme, there would be 810 channels. Conversely, the
same network of sites using a 4/12-reuse scheme would have 630 channels; however, the
capacity has almost doubled. This example is a bit over simplified, and conservatively assumes
that all sites in the network have the same distribution of traffic; however, it depicts the gains
associated with a tighter reuse scheme.