Various embodiments estimate network load in a wireless communication network. In one embodiment, at least one call detail record associated with a wireless communication network is received. A topology representing the network is analyzed. The topology includes a plurality of nodes each representing a network element within the wireless communication network. The topology also includes a plurality of edges between two or more of the plurality of nodes. Each of the plurality of edges indicates that the two or more plurality of nodes are communicatively coupled to each other within the network. A set of paths is identified between two or more nodes in the plurality of nodes corresponding to a set of call flow information within the at least one call detail record. A state of each network element represented by the two or more nodes in the set of paths is determined based on the call detail record.