Global expansion model for mobile networks

In this letter, we propose a global model to solve the expansion problem of universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) networks. Since the network expansion problem is a generalization of the network design problem, the proposed model can be used for the design of UMTS networks. The proposed model deals simultaneously with the cell, the access network and the core network planning subproblems. This global approach has the advantage of providing better results since, in general, optimal solutions to all subproblems do not provide an optimal solution to the global problem. Moreover, this model fits real life situations in which mobile users have the choice to subscribe or to leave a service providers. Numerical results are presented and analyzed