A method is disclosed for calculating the optimal number of base transceiver stations (BTSs) in a wireless network and for determining a loading factor value therefor. The wireless network has a plurality of BTSs, each station providing communication service to mobile stations. As a loading factor value increases, the traffic decreases and the coverage area increases. The method calculates the number of BTSs in accordance with a decrease in traffic and the number of BTSs in accordance with an increase in the coverage area; determines a loading factor value which minimizes a difference between the two number of BTSs; and determines the optimal number of BTSs according to the determined loading factor value.