 evolved over a period of less than 25 years. Network Topologies, Design and Convergence Cellular Topologies Mobile telecommunications technologies can provide broadband connectivity to mobile user equipment over broad geographic areas. They are one of the fastest and least expensive means of broadband service provision. However, since capacity is shared among many users and since different places have different topographies, network design is complex. A wireless net- work operator needs to decide on many technology, business and policy issues before a net- work is rolled out. This chapter deals with how a wireless network is designed, planned, installed, optimised and maintained. Wireless networks can cover broad areas. However, coverage is generally made over popu- lated areas, or where people travel through as it is unnecessary to provide 100% geographical coverage of a land mass. It is also difficult to provide coverage of a country's 100% population as some people live in very remote areas where economical service provision is impossible. Furthermore, different services and technologies have different coverage range business factors that determine which service may be commercially viable at a particular region. This is illustrated in Figure 13.1: Telstra's 3G network covers 99.3% of Australia's population while its network covers 2.3 million km of Australia's land mass (28% of total). Figure 13.1 is for illustrative purposes only and is current as at August 2015 [1]. DARWIN BRISBANE PERTH SYDNEY ADELAIDE MELBOURNE 1,750 Kilometers HOBART 4G typical download speed Typical download speed elstra 2 to 40 Mbps 1.1 to 20 Mbps Typical download speed 550 Typical download speed 550 kbps to 8 Mbps kbps to 3 Mbps Telstra mobile satellite Figure 13.1 Telstra's network coverage in Australia. Reproduced by permission of Telstra Ltd & MapData Services Ptd Ltd [2] Broadband Telecommunications Technologies and Management Universal coverage is at times a contractual obligation placed on an operator by the government. However,