llis, Mika Särkioja, Ajay R Mishra and Tarun Sharma 2.1 Radio Network Planning Process The network planning process itself is not standard. Though some of the steps may be common, the process is determined by the type of projects, criteria and targets. The process has to be applied case by case. 2.1.1 Network Planning Projects Network planning projects can be divided into three main categories based on how much external planning services the operator is using. No services means simply that the operator is responsible for the network planning from the very beginning until the end. This type of comprehensive responsibility for the network planning is more suitable for traditional network operators, who have extensive knowledge of their existing network and previous network planning experience than newcomers in this technology field. There is risk, however, that if the operator is the only person responsible for network planning there might be a difficulty in maintaining knowledge of the latest equipment and features. The opposite network planning solution is when the network operator buys the new network with a turnkey agreement (Greenfield case). In this case, the operator is involved only in defining the network planning criteria. After the network roll-out has been finished and enters the care phase an agreement about the future has to be made. The care services can be outsourced as well, but the operator might also be interested to take some portion of the network operations and start to learn the process. An operator taking all the responsibility after the outsourced planning phase includes some risk. A better solution is to learn the network operation at a pace agreed with the network vendor. The network operator can also buy network planning consultancy services. In this, the operator performs majority of the planning function and outsource selected aspects of the job. In this way some special know-how can be bought to supplement the knowledge of the network planning group. This is generally used in cases wh