tocol/transport control protocol) is the backbone network protocol that is used for routing network data and control signalling. While the TCP is a connection-oriented protocol providing reliable data transmission service, UDP is a con- nectionless protocol providing data transmission services that are unreliable. The IP (Internet protocol) is the datagram-oriented protocol. Both UDP and TCP interface with the IP directly. The major function of the IP is as a routing protocol that provides a means for devices to discover the topology of the network as well as detect charges of state in nodes, lines and hosts. 5.5 GPRS NETWORK PLANNING As already stated, the main difference between GSM and GPRS networks is the addition of a packet-data handling capability in GPRS. All the differences in network planning are due to this additional aspect. Radio network planning and core network planning are the aspects most affected, while transmission network planning experiences minimal changes. 5.5.1 Radio Network Planning The radio network remains largely the same as with GSM (as described in Chapter 2). Some of the aspects change owing to the introduction of packet data. This mainly affects the dimensioning and detailed planning, which directly affect the coverage and capacity planning, leading to an impact on radio network quality. In GSM, radio network quality meant voice quality, but in a GPRS network quality includes both voice and data quality. This leads to changes in the key performance indicators (KPIs). In the following, only the areas that need changing with respect to radio planning in GSM are explained. Fundamental GPRS NETWORK PLANNING concepts include the following: logical channels coding schemes management: RRM and MM (radio resource and mobility management) resource allocation power control. Logical Channels Owing to the involvement of data packets, some new channels are used. A separate set of channels is allocated for packet data, allowing more flexibility in the necessary signalling. These channels (see Tab