Patent ID: 8073456

Claim:
A method for estimating uplink coverage in a wireless communication system, the wireless communication system possibly exhibiting load dependent cell coverage, wherein the method comprises: gathering traffic statistics related to radio coverage in individual cells in a wireless communication system in operation; determining a received rate from at least one mobile terminal in a communication session; comparing the received rate with a predetermined expected rate, and if the received rate is below the expected rate, identifying a possible uplink load dependent effect on the cell coverage; storing an indication of insufficient coverage if the received rate is below the expected rate and/or storing the received rate if the received rate is below the expected rate; performing a load control function on the stored information to identify inadequate admission control thresholds by comparing a number of indications of insufficient coverage, or a ratio of transmission giving rise to indications of insufficient coverage compared to a total number of transmissions, with a predetermined load value, said load control function performed per cell; suggesting a lowering of the admission control threshold if the load control function has identified an inadequate admission control threshold for the cell.