TRAI Evaluates Mobile Network Quality in Arunachal Pradesh's Lohit District

In a significant move to enhance mobile connectivity, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) conducted an Independent Drive Test (IDT) across parts of Lohit district and along National Highway (NH)-13 in Arunachal Pradesh from September 7 to September 10, 2026. This initiative aims to assess the real-time quality of mobile network services provided by various Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) in the region. The drive test, covering a total distance of 247.3 kilometers in urban areas and 154.8 kilometers on highways, was meticulously designed to capture the performance of mobile networks under diverse conditions, including city environments and public transport hubs.

The IDT was carried out under the supervision of TRAI's Regional Office in Kolkata, utilizing advanced testing methodologies. Live data and voice sessions were established using SIM cards from all major TSPs, including Airtel, BSNL, Reliance Jio (RJIL), and Vodafone Idea (VIL). The results are intended to inform consumers and encourage TSPs to improve their services based on the findings.

The drive test focused on several critical Quality of Service (QoS) parameters, including coverage, call drop rates, call setup success rates, and data throughput. The findings reveal substantial gaps in network performance across different TSPs, particularly in terms of coverage and call reliability.

The assessment highlighted significant coverage gaps in both city and highway settings. In urban areas, the signal strength was measured, revealing the following results:

On the highway, the performance was similarly concerning:

These figures indicate a pressing need for TSPs to enhance their infrastructure to meet consumer demands effectively.

• Airtel: 8393 poor signals out of 37595 samples
• BSNL: 13481 poor signals out of 31483 samples
• RJIL: 10750 poor signals out of 37912 samples
• VIL: 13557 poor signals out of 22487 samples
• Airtel: 3547 poor signals out of 11149 samples
• BSNL: 5962 poor signals out of 9777 samples
• RJIL: 6217 poor signals out of 15123 samples
• VIL: 4965 poor signals out of 6027 samples

Call reliability was another critical focus of the IDT, with dropped calls and call silence instances being meticulously recorded. The results for dropped calls in urban areas were as follows:

On the highway, the dropped call rates were:

Moreover, instances of call silence lasting over three seconds were recorded, further indicating the quality of service:

• Airtel: 12 dropped calls out of 271 established
• BSNL: 12 dropped calls out of 201 established
• RJIL: 1 dropped call out of 270 established
• VIL: 17 dropped calls out of 157 established
• Airtel: 12 dropped calls out of 62 established
• BSNL: 15 dropped calls out of 50 established
• RJIL: 7 dropped calls out of 81 established
• VIL: 8 dropped calls out of 32 established
• Airtel: 8 silence instances out of 245 calls
• BSNL: 6 silence instances out of 159 calls
• RJIL: 40 silence instances out of 237 calls
• VIL: 2 silence instances out of 98 calls

The findings from TRAI's IDT serve as a wake-up call for TSPs operating in Arunachal Pradesh. With significant coverage gaps and high call drop rates, consumers are left with a subpar mobile experience, which could lead to dissatisfaction and potential churn. The data underscores the necessity for TSPs to invest in network improvements and infrastructure upgrades to enhance service quality.

TRAI's commitment to transparency and consumer protection is evident in its decision to publish these findings, allowing consumers to make informed choices regarding their mobile service providers. The authority's proactive approach aims to foster competition among TSPs, ultimately benefiting consumers through improved services.

As mobile connectivity becomes increasingly vital in today's digital age, the results of TRAI's IDT in Arunachal Pradesh highlight the urgent need for TSPs to address the identified shortcomings. With the growing reliance on mobile networks for communication, business, and daily activities, ensuring robust and reliable service is paramount. The onus now lies with TSPs to act on these findings and enhance their offerings to meet the expectations of consumers in the region.