**Executive Summary**
This document is the answer to Unstarred Question No. 2774 in the Lok Sabha, answered on December 17, 2025, regarding telecom infrastructure and quality of service (QoS) in specific districts. It outlines the government's monitoring of telecom services, the status of infrastructure projects, and steps taken to improve connectivity. Key stakeholders include the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and Telecom Service Providers (TSPs).
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Monitoring and Compliance:**
* TRAI regularly monitors the performance of TSPs in License Service Areas (LSAs), including the Panna, Katni, and Chandla-Khajuraho region.
* **Infrastructure Development:**
* 5,613 4G and 883 5G Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) have been installed by TSPs in Panna, Katni & Chhatarpur (including Chandla-Khajuraho region).
* 94 towers have been planned for providing 4G mobile services at 111 villages, and 91 towers are operational covering 108 villages under the Digital Bharat Nidhi scheme.
* **Addressing Service Issues:**
* TRAI conducts independent and operator-assisted drive tests based on Performance Monitoring Reports submitted by TSPs.
* Findings from drive tests are shared with TSPs to facilitate necessary remedial actions.
* Details of the drive tests are available on the TRAI website.
* **Government Initiatives:**
* Uncovered villages are being provided coverage under the Digital Bharat Nidhi scheme.
* The government facilitates TSPs' expansion through spectrum assignment, sharing, trading, and surrender.
* Simplification of Procedure for SACFA (Standing Advisory Committee on Radio Frequency Allocations) clearance.
* Streamlining of RoW permissions and expedited clearance via the Telecommunications Right of Way (RoW) Rules and PM GatiShakti Sanchar portal.
**Impact Analysis**
**Impact: TRAI**
* TRAI is responsible for the ongoing monitoring and drive testing of telecom services.
**Action Required**
* TRAI must continue to conduct regular monitoring and drive tests, and make the findings available on its website.
**Impact: TSPs**
* TSPs are responsible for installing and maintaining telecom infrastructure and addressing deficiencies identified in TRAI drive tests.
**Action Required**
* TSPs must take remedial action to address deficiencies identified in drive tests and collaborate with the government to expand network coverage.
Key Entities Referenced
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI): The regulator responsible for monitoring telecom service providers and conducting drive tests to assess quality of service.
Digital Bharat Nidhi: Scheme mentioned in the context of providing 4G mobile services to uncovered villages.
Panna, Katni and Chandla-Khajuraho region: Specific geographic area which is the subject of the question regarding telecom infrastructure and quality-of-service.
Telecommunications Right of Way (RoW) Rules: Rules aimed at streamlining permissions for telecom infrastructure installation.
Ministry of Communications: The ministry responsible for addressing the parliamentary question related to telecom infrastructure.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATIONS
DEPARTMENT OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2774
ANSWERED ON 17TH DECEMBER, 2025
TELECOM INFRASTRUCTURE AND QUALITY-OF-SERVICE
2774. 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 details of 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 and if so, the details thereof;
(d) the details of the reasons such as insufficient tower density, pending RoW clearances, fibre
constraints or operator non-compliance if connectivity gaps remain and the remedial measures taken;
and
(e) the probable timeline by which robust telecom coverage, QoS compliance and uninterrupted
mobile internet will 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 5,613 4G and 883 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 Independent Drive Tests and Operator Assisted Drive Tests based on the
issues observed in the Performance Monitoring Report submitted by TSPs to TRAI. The finding of
Drive Tests are shared with the respective TSPs to take necessary remedial action to remove the
deficiencies observed in the drive tests. The details are available on TRAI website.
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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