LAC Planning

There is no limitations for no. of LACs in a BSC (theorotically or practically). It all

depends upon the network (no. of subscribers in a LAC) & the area covered by
the BTSs connected to the BSC. 

Multiple no. of LACs have its own advant. & disadvantages..... Let me state few
for u:

Advantage: Having multiple LACs under a BSC results in lower load

on Paging Channels (PCH). As u know, when any mobile subscriber is paged, it is
done in entire LAC. So, a scenario, where no. of subscribers located in a LAC is
very high, can result in PCH congestion (which ultimately results in call failures in
that LAC). 

Disadvantage: The disadvantage of having multiple LACs in a BSC

is when a subscribers moves from one LAC to another, it results in "Location
Update (LU)". The LU, itself is a resource consuming activity, as the signalling is
carried over SDCCH. High no. of Loc Updates (LU) can result in SDCCH
congestion (which again results in Call failures due to non-availibility of SDCCH
channels). 

Hence, it all depends upon the network. PCH & SDCCH are very critical
resources. Hence the RF guys plans the no. of LACS, in accordance to the
network.

C2 - Safaricom Internal