nimum number of BSCs and MSCs can be dimensioned. The limitation of the capacity comes from the availability of frequency bands, the number of frequencies and the frequency re-use rate. Dimensioning Tools Several commercial tools are available for dimensioning purposes. Those are provided by software companies, but many vendors and operators also have their own tools for dimensioning. Complexity of the tool depends on the functionalities. The dimensioning tool can in the simplest case consist of self-made spreadsheets. Those are adequate for small dimensioning cases and supplementing capacity calculations. More sophisticated tools provide dimensioning for several features and are suitable for large dimensioning cases. Some additional software might be needed when dimensioning the capacity needed for advanced features. The dimensioning tool provides the capacity calculations to meet the planning requirements: capacity, coverage and quality targets. The link budgets are an essential part of the calculations and the dimensioning results are given per area type - the required number of network elements for each area type. The network evolution can also be sketched using dimensioning tools Roll-out occurs in different phases, with network dimensioning following the phases structure. As the plan to activate new features has a capacity effect, dimensioning can be done according to time schedules. The output the dimensioning Radio Network Planning and Optimisation tool gives, the number of network elements, is used as an input for the coverage planning phase and coverage planning tool. 2.3.2 Dimensioning in the EGPRS Network Probably the single most important knowledge to have when planning any EGPRS network is to under- stand where the heavy traffic is located. Considering this, some provision must be made to support initial optimisation around these dense data carrying cells to ensure a desired quality of service for the new EGPRS subscribers. After the EGPRS network is deployed and operational, periodic optimisation o