**Executive Summary**
This document is the answer to an unstarred question in Lok Sabha (No. 802) to be answered on February 4th, 2026, concerning the Quality of Service (QoS) of telecom infrastructure in the Panna, Katni, and Chandla-Khajuraho regions. It details government monitoring, infrastructure deployment, actions taken to address connectivity gaps, and measures to ensure robust telecom coverage. There is no explicit action to be taken, but rather it is an assessment of actions already taken.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Monitoring and Guidelines:**
* The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) regularly monitors the performance of telecom service providers (TSPs) in the Panna, Katni, and Chandla-Khajuraho regions under TRAI guidelines.
* **Infrastructure Deployment:**
* 5,659 4G and 889 5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) have been installed by TSPs in the districts of Panna, Katni & Chhatarpur, which includes the Chandla-Khajuraho region.
* 94 towers are planned to provide 4G mobile services at 111 villages, and 91 towers have been made on-air covering 108 villages under Digital Bharat Nidhi schemes.
* **Drive Tests and Audits:**
* TRAI conducts Drive Tests (Operator Assisted Drive Test, OADT, and Independent Drive Test, IDT) to assess Quality of Service through TSPs.
* Operator Assisted Drive Test was conducted from August 19th to 21st, 2025, in Panna and Khajuraho. TSPs have taken action based on the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) observed, including site optimization for QoS improvement.
* **Government Actions to Improve Connectivity:**
* Providing coverage to uncovered villages under Digital Bharat Nidhi schemes.
* Assigning sufficient spectrum for mobile services through auction.
* Permitting spectrum sharing, trading, and surrender for efficient spectrum use.
* Simplifying the procedure for SACFA (Standing Advisory Committee on Radio Frequency Allocations) clearance.
* Notification of Telecommunications Right of Way (RoW) Rules and launch of PM GatiShakti Sanchar portal to streamline RoW permissions and expedite clearance for telecom infrastructure installation.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Residents of Panna, Katni, and Chandla-Khajuraho**
* **Impact:** Improved telecom coverage, reduced call drops, better data throughput, and fewer outages.
* **Action Required:** No specific action is required.
**Stakeholder: Telecom Service Providers (TSPs)**
* **Impact:** Need to improve QoS in accordance with TRAI guidelines and optimize sites based on Drive Test results.
* **Action Required:** TSPs need to optimize sites for improvement in QoS.
**Stakeholder: Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)**
* **Impact:** Increased responsibility for monitoring TSPs and conducting Drive Tests to ensure QoS compliance.
* **Action Required:** Continue to monitor TSPs and conduct Drive Tests to ensure QoS compliance.
Key Entities Referenced
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI): Regulates telecom service providers and monitors their performance.
Digital Bharat Nidhi: Scheme for providing 4G mobile services in uncovered villages.
Telecommunications Right of Way (RoW) Rules: Rules governing the right of way for installation of telecom infrastructure.
Panna: District in Madhya Pradesh where Quality-of-Service (QoS) is being monitored.
Katni: District in Madhya Pradesh where Quality-of-Service (QoS) is being monitored.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 802
TO BE ANSWERED ON 4TH FEBRUARY, 2026
QUALITY OF SERVICE (QOS) IN PANNA
802. SHRI VISHNU DATT SHARMA:
Will the Minister of COMMUNICATIONS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is monitoring telecom infrastructure and Quality-of-Service (QoS)
in districts of Panna, Katni and especially in Chandla–Khajuraho region under TRAI guidelines
and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether 4G/5G towers, fibre backhaul and USOF-supported rural-connectivity works have
been completed and if so, the details thereof and the reasons for the locations still lacking adequate
signal strength or uninterrupted service;
(c) whether call-drops, low data throughput and outages reported by residents have been verified
through TRAI drive-tests or operator audits;
(d) if connectivity gaps remain, the reasons—such as insufficient tower density, pending RoW
clearances, fibre constraints or operator non-compliance—and the remedial measures directed; and
(e) the deadline by which robust telecom coverage, QoS compliance and uninterrupted mobile
Internet is proposed to be ensured in these areas?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND RURAL DEVELOPMENT
(DR. PEMMASANI CHANDRA SEKHAR)
(a) Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) regularly monitors License Service Area
(LSA) wise performance of telecom service providers (TSPs) in the country including Panna, Katni
and Chandla-Khajuraho region under TRAI guidelines.
(b) At present 5,659 4G and 889 5G Base Transceiver Station (BTS) are installed by TSPs in the
districts of Panna, Katni & Chhatarpur which includes Chandla-Khajuraho region. Further, 94 towers
have been planned for providing 4G Mobile services at 111 villages and out of which 91 towers have
been made on-air covering 108 villages under Digital Bharat Nidhi schemes.
(c) TRAI conducts Drive Tests to assess Quality of Service through TSPs (Operator Assisted
Drive Test, OADT) and through TRAI appointed agency (Independent Drive Test, IDT). Operator
Assisted Drive Test has been conducted from 19th to 21st Aug’2025 in Panna and Khajuraho. TSPs
have taken note of the KPIs observed & taken further action including optimization of the sites for
improvement in QoS.
1(d) & (e) Government has taken following steps to facilitate TSPs to expand their network
coverage to meet out connectivity gaps and hence improving quality of service:
i. Uncovered villages are being provided coverage under various Digital Bharat Nidhi schemes.
ii. Assignment of sufficient spectrum for mobile services through auction.
iii. Spectrum sharing, trading and surrender has been permitted for efficient use of spectrum.
iv. Simplification of Procedure for SACFA (Standing Advisory Committee on Radio Frequency
Allocations) clearance.
v. Notification of Telecommunications Right of Way (RoW) Rules and launch of PM GatiShakti
Sanchar portal has resulted in streamlining of RoW permissions and expeditious clearance for
installation of telecom infrastructure.
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