Elaborate planning is of paramount importance for the cost-efficient implementation and operation of modern mobile radio networks. Fast and precise methods for the performance evaluation are key ingredients of the planning process. Current planning methods, however, often lack accuracy and computational efficiency. Ulrich Türke introduces innovative models and algorithms for the evaluation of WCDMA/UMTS network performance. He establishes an advanced snapshot analysis method which allows the efficient and accurate analysis of large radio networks. The author develops two statistical evaluation methods which furnish quick approximations of relevant results from snapshot simulations. Finally, he discusses the application of these methods to automatic network optimization. The developed strategies are successfully applied in a commercial radio network planning and optimization tool.