TRAI Conducts Drive Tests Across Nine Cities
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recently completed Independent Drive Tests (IDT) in nine cities and various highways to evaluate the quality of mobile services. The tests, conducted in December 2024, assessed the performance of major telecom operators, including Bharti Airtel, BSNL/MTNL, Reliance Jio, and Vodafone Idea. Key performance indicators for both voice and data services were measured to ensure compliance with service standards.
Scope of the Drive Tests
TRAI’s drive tests covered a diverse range of locations, including urban areas and significant transportation routes. The cities and routes tested include Aligarh, Meerut to Dehradun Railway route, Bhubaneswar, Jammu City, Jammu to Srinagar Highway, Lucknow, Fatehpur to Varanasi Highway, Navi-Mumbai, Raipur, Siliguri, Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Thiruvananthapuram, and the Vapi-Rewari Highway. The tests aimed to assess the quality of voice and data services provided by cellular mobile operators in these regions.
The drive tests were conducted using various technologies, including 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G. The results reflect the performance of each service provider on the specific day and time of testing, providing a snapshot of the current state of mobile services in these areas. The comprehensive nature of the tests ensures that a wide array of factors influencing service quality are evaluated.
Key Performance Indicators Assessed
During the drive tests, TRAI focused on several Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for both voice and data services. For voice services, the following metrics were evaluated:
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- Call setup success rate
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- Drop call rate (DCR)
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- Speech quality using Mean Opinion Score (MOS)
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- Downlink and uplink packet drop rate
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- Call silence rate
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- Coverage percentage and signal strength
For data services, the KPIs included:
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- Data throughput (both downlink and uplink)
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- Packet drop rate (downlink and uplink)
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- Video streaming delay
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- Latency
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- Jitter
These indicators are crucial for assessing the overall quality of mobile services, ensuring that consumers receive reliable and efficient connectivity.
Results and Future Steps
The detailed results of the drive tests are available on the TRAI website, where users can access comprehensive reports for each tested area. The performance summaries for each city and route are documented in annexures attached to the reports. For any clarifications or additional information, TRAI has provided contact details for its advisor on Quality of Service.
As mobile connectivity continues to evolve, these assessments play a vital role in maintaining service standards and ensuring that telecom operators meet the needs of their customers. The findings from these drive tests will inform future regulatory measures and improvements in mobile service delivery across India.
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