cells, dual band. Define the GPRS parameters that are operator-definable on a cell group basis (i.e. micro cell 2 carrier, macro cell 3 carrier) understanding the impact to network performance of both the existing GSM service and GPRS service: - dedicated timeslots; - default GPRS capacity; - territory occupancy; - prefer BCCH frequencies; - uplink power control parameters - gamma channel and alpha; - define routing area boundaries. Revisit the existing GSM parameter setting to ensure optimum GPRS operation: - C1/C2 parameters for mobility management; - traffic management features - directed retry. Analyse GPRS service areas to check that the GPRS service covers the wanted area to the required throughput levels. Analyse the capacity of GPRS and GSM services to ensure that the GPRS service has the required capacity and the GSM capacity is not degraded. In practice this is an iterative process and all the tasks can be done several times to meet all the require- ments. Adding new cells or carriers may also be necessary. The flowchart of the process of introducing GPRS to an existing network is presented in Figure 2.3. 2.2.3 Introducing EGPRS in the GSM Network The most fundamental difference between EGPRS (enhanced GPRS) and GSM/GPRS is the capability to offer higher throughput using a new 8-PSK modulation to transmit 3 bits per symbol and offer a full range of nine modulation and coding schemes (MCSs). Despite the new 8-PSK modulation, EGPRS timeslots still fit into the standard burst structure of GSM and GPRS. Figure 2.4 outlines how flow EGPRS Radio Link Control (RLC) blocks are sent over the air interface. Each RLC block is split into four bursts and fits on to the GSM TDMA frame structure (in this case, timeslot 7 in the 52 Packet Data Channel (PDCH) multiframe). The figure also includes the concept of how to calculate effective timeslot throughput (radio bearer channel rate) for any EGPRS data connection. Since 12 RLC/MAC (media access control) blocks fit into a standard 52 PDCH multiframe and the block Radio 