TRAI Unveils Mobile Network Performance in J&K’s Drive Test
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has published the results from its recent Independent Drive Test (IDT) in the Jammu and Kashmir Licensed Service Area. Conducted from February 2 to February 5, 2026, the comprehensive testing aimed to evaluate mobile network performance across various environments including urban areas, public transport facilities, and high-speed corridors. The assessment included 178.2 kilometers of city routes and 620.5 kilometers of highway tests.
TRAI’s testing teams, under the oversight of its Regional Office in Delhi, explored 6 hotspot locations and performed a walk test covering 3.5 kilometers, while also evaluating interoperator calling at one location. The drive tests scrutinized mobile technologies including 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G, providing insights into user experiences across different devices.
Key Findings on Voice and Data Services
The results revealed a mixed bag of performance metrics for various telecommunications service providers (TSPs). In terms of voice services, the Call Setup Success Rate (CSSR) for Airtel stood at 98.83%, while BSNL lagged at 81.62%. The drop call rate painted a similar picture with Airtel at 0.74% and BSNL at a concerning 7.87%.
For call setup time, Airtel recorded an impressive average of 1.40 seconds compared to 4.05 seconds for BSNL. The assessments also indicated that users experienced varying degrees of call silence, with Airtel at 0.71% and BSNL at 6.83%. Mean Opinion Scores (MOS), which measure call quality, reflected Airtel’s lead at 3.96 against BSNL’s 3.07.
Data Performance Analysis
When examining data services, the download speed averaged significantly higher for RJIL at 295.90 Mbps, while BSNL’s speed was merely 11.30 Mbps. Upload speeds also varied, with RJIL leading at 30.50 Mbps, surpassing BSNL which managed only 3.86 Mbps. Latency figures indicated that Airtel had the lowest average latency at 27.94 milliseconds.
The testing encompassed densely populated neighborhoods in Jammu City, including areas such as Gandhi Nagar and Shastri Nagar. Notable locations were also evaluated, including the Government Medical College Jammu and Jammu Tawi Railway Station. The testing strategy implicated rigorous methodologies, utilizing standardized protocols to ensure accuracy and reliability in real-time conditions.
For contextual insights, the highway tests assessed mobile connectivity while traveling from Delhi to Jammu, providing a glimpse into user experience during high-speed transit situations. Any individual seeking further clarification can reach out to Shri Vivek Khare, Advisor at TRAI. More detailed results are available on the TRAI website.
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