TRAI Reveals Mobile Network Performance in Mumbai Drive Tests
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has unveiled the findings from its Independent Drive Test (IDT) conducted across Mumbai in January 2026. The comprehensive assessment, supervised by TRAI’s regional office in Bengaluru, scrutinized mobile network performance in real-world environments including urban areas, transit hubs, and coastal routes.
From January 20 to 23, TRAI teams traversed a total distance of 214.8 kilometers in Mumbai. This included 201.7 kilometers of city driving, evaluation of seven institutional hotspots, 3.7 kilometers of walking tests, and a 9.4-kilometer coastal drive. The tests examined various mobile technologies, including 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G, to better understand service experiences across different device capabilities. The findings have been communicated to the relevant telecommunications service providers (TSPs) for further action.
Key Performance Metrics
TRAI assessed several crucial parameters during the tests:
- Voice Services: These included Call Setup Success Rate (CSSR), Drop Call Rate (DCR), Call Setup Time, Call Silence Rate, Speech Quality (Mean Opinion Score – MOS), and Coverage.
- Data Services: Metrics focused on Download and Upload Throughput, Latency, Jitter, Packet Drop Rate, and Video Streaming Delay.
In terms of voice services, the Call Setup Success Rate was notable, with Airtel, RJIL, and VIL achieving a perfect score of 100%, while MTNL lagged behind at 20.77%. Drop call rates also varied significantly; Airtel and VIL reported no dropped calls, while MTNL experienced a high rate of 45.34%.
Signal strength issues were highlighted, particularly for MTNL. During voice testing in city areas, 71.31% of cases exhibited poor signal strength, compared to just 0.32% for Airtel. The coastal route reflected even more concerning metrics, with MTNL showing 89.39% poor signal strength during voice experiments.
Testing Diverse Environments
Tests were conducted in high-density neighborhoods including Retibunder, Mumbra, Khaleskar, and several others, effectively gauging network quality in bustling locations. Furthermore, real-world assessments were carried out at critical locations such as Airoli Police Station and Mumbra Municipal Hospital to grasp mobile network behavior in practical settings.
Specific walk tests on January 21 focused on high-traffic areas around Airoli and Kopar Khairane railway stations, capturing network performance amid pedestrian congestion. The coastal drive also assessed service levels along key coastal routes, including Atal Setu.
To maintain high standards, the drive tests utilized TRAI-calibrated equipment and adhered to standardized protocols. For those interested in a detailed report, it is available on the TRAI official website. For further inquiries, individuals can reach out to Shri Brajendra Kumar at the TRAI Regional Office in Bengaluru.
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