Abstract: A forecasting tool for planning a communications network having one or more platforms is disclosed. The forecasting tool is configured to obtain, associate, track, and correspond, capacity and demand across numerous platforms. Growth curves can be determined and associated with various platforms and platform locations. Anticipated growth events, and their corresponding growth curves, can be associated with any number of platforms. Various growth curves can be combined according to any scales, factors, or parameters, to create custom growth curves for any location or platform. Reconfigurations can be included in any analysis. The forecast tool analyzes each platform and can recommend reconfiguration if network platforms utilizations exceed any engineering limits or other thresholds.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method, an apparatus, a computer readable medium and a system for forecasting growth within a wireless telecommunications system. The method includes determining current system traffic for the wireless system, determining current minutes of use (MOU) for the current wireless system, estimating future MOU for the wireless system, and forecasting future system traffic for the wireless system based on the system's current traffic, current MOU, and future estimated MOU. The method also is useful for estimating spectrum requirements and balance between coexisting technologies, determining the impact of relief sectors proposed for the wireless system at future points in time, and determining the consequence of different system growth alternatives. Also, the growth forecasting method allocates the forecasted future system traffic throughout the existing system in a suitable manner, e.g.