This paper proposes novel reuse patterns for microcellular network based on a square grid. An initial carrierto-interference ratio assessment for these patterns considers the mobiles positioned at the worst case condition and the system operating at a full load. Among the possible reuse patterns (1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 13, ... microcells per cluster) the performance analysis investigates systems with clusters of 5, 8, 9, and I O microcells. The results show a substantial difference in performance for the up and downlinks, with the former pelforming less satisfactorily than the latter and with this difference diminishing as the size of the cluster increases. Both the 10-and the 9-microcell clusters exhibit an outstanding pelformance and, if appropriately explored, a remarkable trade-off between capacip and interference may be encountered in the 5-microcell cluster.