Long Term Evolution-Advanced is a mobile network standard that addresses a number of challenges that network operators face while trying to support the growing demand for high data rates. In this thesis, we present a general model based on Discrete Event System Specification for LTE networks. The model implements the basic functionality the LTE protocol stack layers. It was designed to be flexible, modular and easily adaptable to model various network deployments and scenarios. Moreover, we present two algorithms, Shared Segmented Upload (SSU) and Upload User Collaboration (UUC), which rely on some of the technologies of LTE to improve the upload performance of cell-edge UEs. The model was used to conduct a series of system-level simulations to test the performance of the algorithms. The simulation results show that, compared to the conventional methods, SSU and UUC provide significant performance improvements for UEs regardless of their location within their cells.