In the world of Radio Frequency (RF) planning and network simulation, names like Atoll have been synonymous with precision. For over two decades, Forsk’s Atoll has been the gold standard for mobile operators, equipment vendors, and consultants. While the tech world obsesses over the latest "Atoll 3.6" or the cloud-native "Atoll 3.7," the Atoll 3.5 release remains a watershed moment—and for many legacy networks, it is still the benchmark.
For new RF engineers entering the field: learn the 5G tools, but understand Atoll 3.5. It teaches you the fundamentals of propagation and interference better than any automated "black box" ever will. Looking for support or training on legacy Atoll 3.5? Check our resources page for third-party calibration files and script repositories. atoll 3.5
Note: Atoll 3.5 was the last version to fully support the "Legacy Wallisch-Ikegami" model before it was deprecated. Why would an engineer choose 3.5 today? Stability. In the world of Radio Frequency (RF) planning
Atoll 3.5, RF planning, Forsk Atoll, LTE network design, 4G optimization, carrier aggregation, propagation model. For new RF engineers entering the field: learn
For operators who do not need millimeter wave (mmWave) or 5G Standalone (SA) slicing, Atoll 3.5 remains a faster, cheaper, and perfectly adequate tool for 4G optimization. Imagine a Tier 2 operator in Southeast Asia with 2,500 LTE sites. In 2018, they used Atoll 3.5 to solve a capacity crunch in Jakarta.
| | Best Use Case | Frequency Range | | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Standard Propagation Model (SPM) | General macro-cell (calibrated) | 150 – 3500 MHz | | ITU-R P.526 | Diffraction (hilly terrain) | Any | | WINNER II | 4G MIMO/ Small cells | 2 – 6 GHz | | COST 231 Hata | Legacy urban/Suburban | 1500 – 2000 MHz |