xpected traffic offered to the wireless network, where base stations must be located, and how the network should grow as more subscribers join. Initially these tasks were done by radio frequency (RF) planning groups within the operator but soon specialist companies grew to design and plan the network and roll them out. To streamline these processes, specialised soft- ware was developed by planning companies as well as network equipment manufacturers such as Ericsson. Network planning and RF engineering companies (and engineers) were in great demand and charged high premiums for their services in the late 1990s. Several new network configurations were used to improve coverage inside buildings, under- ground train stations and crowded areas. These base stations had smaller coverage and served fewer users. To distinguish these from larger coverage base stations, the terms macrocell and microcell were coined. Many new terms have since been coined to represent ever smaller cell sizes such as picocells and femtocells. The combination of all these cell configurations work together to provide comprehensive coverage of populated areas. Another factor of complexity has come about due to advanced antennas. From the mid- 1990s sectored antennas were used to increase the system capacity. Later on adaptive array antennas, and multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) antennas further increased the amount of data that could be communicated over the air. With the introduction of third generation (3G) and fourth generation (4G) standards, many systems have had to coexist in one base station site to reduce capital and operational expendi- ture. Co-location of base stations from the same operator or even competing operators has become commonplace. These have added a new layer of complexity in network design and operation. Newer broadband telecommunications systems are designed to automatically assign a user to the most optimally placed network, whether second generation (2G), 3G, 4G or Wi-Fi. System design and operation has greatly