**Executive Summary**
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released the findings of Independent Drive Tests (IDT) conducted between March 16 and March 19, 2026, to assess mobile network quality in Punjab. The assessment covered Bathinda, Sri Muktsar Sahib, and the Amritsar-to-Bathinda rail route, evaluating key voice and data parameters across 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G networks. These findings have been shared with Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) to facilitate service improvements and inform general consumers.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Scope and Methodology**
* **Coverage Area:** Tests included 276.8 KMs of city driving, six hotspot locations, and 282.8 KMs of railway routes.
* **Network Technologies:** Assessments involved live voice and data sessions over 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G networks using multiple advanced test handsets.
* **Supervision:** The tests were conducted by an appointed agency under the supervision of the TRAI Regional Office, Jaipur.
**Key Assessment Parameters**
* **Coverage Gap:** Percentage of samples where signal strength was below the minimum prescribed levels.
* **Voice Services:** Metrics included Call Setup Success Rate (CSSR), Drop Call Rate (DCR), Call Setup Time, Call Silence Rate, and Speech Quality (MOS).
* **Data Services:** Performance was measured via download/upload throughput, latency, jitter, and packet drop rates.
**Regional Performance Highlights**
* **Bathinda City:** RJIL achieved the highest average download speed (198.27 Mbps), while BSNL recorded the highest coverage gap (7,669 samples). Airtel and VIL showed minimal call drops.
* **Sri Muktsar Sahib City:** RJIL led download performance at 222.90 Mbps. BSNL recorded the highest coverage gap (2,180 samples) and the highest number of dropped calls.
* **Amritsar to Bathinda Rail Route:** RJIL maintained the highest download throughput (111.72 Mbps), while BSNL recorded the most dropped calls (8) and significant coverage gaps (4,959 samples).
**Impact Analysis**
**Telecom Service Providers (TSPs)**
**Impact**
TSPs are held accountable for network performance discrepancies in coverage, call stability, and data throughput identified during the tests.
**Action Required**
TSPs must review the shared IDT findings and take necessary corrective actions to address identified gaps and improve service quality.
**General Telecom Consumers**
**Impact**
Consumers are provided with transparent, real-time data regarding the quality of service provided by different TSPs in specific Punjab regions.
**Action Required**
Consumers can use these published findings to make informed decisions regarding their choice of service provider and network technology.
**TRAI Regional Office (Jaipur)**
**Impact**
The office acts as the supervisory body for regional network quality and the primary contact for detailed reporting.
**Action Required**
The office must remain available to provide clarifications and additional information via email (adv.jaipur@trai.gov.in) or telephone.
Key Entities Referenced
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI): The primary regulatory body that conducted and released findings of the Independent Drive Test to assess mobile network quality.
Independent Drive Test (IDT): The initiative used to capture and verify real-time quality of mobile network services for voice and data across various environments.
Punjab LSA (Bathinda, Sri Muktsar Sahib, and Amritsar to Bathinda Rail Route): The specific geographical region and transit corridor in Punjab where the mobile network performance assessment was focused.
Telecom Service Providers (TSPs): The mobile network operators (Airtel, BSNL, RJIL, and VIL) whose service quality was evaluated and who are expected to take corrective actions.
Ministry of Communications
TRAI Assesses Mobile Network Quality across
Bathinda, Sri Muktsar Sahib Cities & Amritsar to
Bathinda Rail Route (in Punjab LSA)
Posted On: 01 JUN 2026 5:11PM by PIB Delhi
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released findings of Independent Drive Test (IDT)
conducted across Bathinda, Sri Muktsar Sahib Cities & Amritsar to Bathinda Rail Route (in Punjab LSA),
during the month of March 2026, for information of general telecom consumers. The purpose of this drive
test is to assess and verify real time quality of mobile network services (both voice & data) provided by
Telecom Service Providers (TSPs). During the IDT, TRAI captures performance of TSPs for key Quality
of Service (QoS) parameters like Coverage, Call Drop Rate (CDR), Call Setup Success Rate (CSSR), data
Download (DL) and Upload (UL) throughput etc., which are then published to inform Consumers and
encourage TSPs to improve their services.
These IDTs have been designed to capture on ground mobile network performance of all TSPs across
diverse usage environments like cities, hotspots, public transport hubs, etc. In this type of drive testing,
live data and voice sessions are established using SIM cards from all TSPs over 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G
networks. Multiple advanced test handsets are used, and the sessions are monitored and analysed in real-
time using advanced Software Systems.
TRAI, through its appointed agency, conducted drive tests across City drive - 276.8 KMs, Hotspot
locations - 06, Railway - 282.8 Kms during 16th March 2026 to 19th March 2026 in Punjab LSA. These
tests were conducted under the supervision of the TRAI Regional Office Jaipur. The observations
presented in drive test reports represent the performance of the TSPs on the area/ route under test on the
day/ time of conducting the drive test.
Drive Test Route Map: The following map provides overview of drive test routes indicating City drive,
Inter-operator calling, Hotspots and Walk tests, as per the legends shown on the map:-
Key Parameters Assessed
a. Coverage Gap: Percentage of samples, for which signal strength observed less than the minimum
prescribed signal strength for respective technology (2G/ 3G/ 4G/ 5G).
b. Voice Services: Call Setup Success Rate (CSSR), Drop Call Rate (DCR), Call Setup Time, Call
Silence Rate, Speech Quality (MOS).
c. Call Silence Instance: Number of call silence instances occurred during the calls.
d. Data Services: Download/ Upload Throughput, Latency, Jitter, Packet Drop Rate.
The overall mobile network performance in Bathinda, Sri Muktsar Sahib Cities & Amritsar to Bathinda
Rail Route for the key parameters has been summarised below:
I. Bathinda City:a. Coverage Gap - The signal strength observed during voice testing on the drive test route in auto-
selection mode (5G/4G/3G/2G), measured as the number of samples having poor signal strength out
of the total samples collected, was 287/30694 for Airtel, 7669/29845 for BSNL, 378/30653 for RJIL
and 283/ 30542 for VIL. Details of the coverage gaps have been provided in the map Annexed.
b. Dropped Calls - Dropped calls, measured as the number of dropped calls out of the number of
successfully established calls, were 0/ 275 for Airtel, 4/ 268 for BSNL, 1/276 for RJIL and 1/273 for
VIL. Details of the dropped call locations have been provided in the map Annexed.
c. Call Silence Instance - Call silence instances, measured as the total number of silence instances
observed for > 3 seconds out of the total calls established, were 3/267 for Airtel, 1/266 for RJIL and
17/268 for VIL. Details of the call silence instance locations have been provided in the map
Annexed.
d. Data Download and Upload Throughput:
i. Data Download performance (Overall): Average download speed was observed as 151.88 Mbps
for Airtel (5G/4G), 14.55 Mbps for BSNL (4G), 198.27 Mbps for RJIL (5G/4G) and 34.07Mbps for
VIL (5G/4G/2G). Detail of Download throughput has been provided in the map Annexed.
ii. Data Upload performance (Overall): Average upload speed was observed as 18.53 Mbps for
Airtel (5G/4G), 5.70 Mbps for MTNL (3G), 14.19 Mbps for RJIL (5G/4G) and 15.97 Mbps for VIL
(5G/4G/2G). Detail of upload throughput has been provided in the map Annexed.
II. Sri Muktsar Sahib City:
a. Coverage Gap - The signal strength observed during voice testing on the drive test route in auto-
selection mode (5G/4G/3G/2G), measured as the number of samples having poor signal strength out
of the total samples collected, was 70/10777 for Airtel, 2180/9510 for BSNL, 148/10119 for RJIL
and 43/10123 for VIL. Details of the coverage gaps have been provided in the map Annexed.
b. Dropped Calls - Dropped calls, measured as the number of dropped calls out of the number of
successfully established calls, were 0/91 for Airtel, 2/89 for BSNL, 1/91 for RJIL and 0/91 for VIL.Details of the dropped call locations have been provided in the map Annexed
c. Call Silence Instance - Call silence instances, measured as the total number of silence instances
observed for > 3 seconds out of the total calls established, were 2/87 for Airtel, 3/88 for RJIL and
0/87 for VIL. Details of the call silence instance locations have been provided in the map Annexed.
d. Data Download and Upload Throughput:
i. Data Download performance (Overall): Average download speed was observed as 172.32 Mbps
for Airtel (5G/4G), 18.20 Mbps for BSNL (4G), 222.90 Mbps for RJIL (5G/4G) and 26.51 Mbps for
VIL (5G/4G/2G). Detail of Download throughput has been provided in the map Annexed.
ii. Data Upload performance (Overall): Average upload speed was observed as 11.02 Mbps for
Airtel (5G/4G), 5.00 Mbps for BSNL (3G), 12.87 Mbps for RJIL (5G/4G) and 13.19 Mbps for VIL
(5G/4G/2G). Detail of upload throughput has been provided in the map Annexed.
III. Amritsar to Bathinda Rail Route:
a. Coverage Gap - The signal strength observed during voice testing on the drive test route in auto-
selection mode (5G/4G/3G/2G), measured as the number of samples having poor signal strength out
of the total samples collected, was 552/21422 for Airtel, 4959/20782 for BSNL, 287/21228 for RJIL
and 571/20813 for VIL. Details of the coverage gaps have been provided in the map Annexed.
b. Dropped Calls - Dropped calls, measured as the number of dropped calls out of the number of
successfully established calls, were 2/108 for Airtel, 8/109 for BSNL, 0/108 for RJIL and 0/91 for
VIL. Details of the dropped call locations have been provided in the map Annexed
c. Data Download and Upload Throughput:
i. Data Download performance (Overall): Average download speed was observed as 95.82 Mbps for
Airtel (5G/4G), 18.36 Mbps for BSNL (4G/3G), 111.72 Mbps for RJIL (5G/4G) and 11.11 Mbps for
VIL (5G/4G/2G). Detail of Download throughput has been provided in the map Annexed.
ii. Data Upload performance (Overall): Average upload speed was observed as 19.89 Mbps for
Airtel (5G/4G), 7.82 Mbps for BSNL (4G/3G), 16.93 Mbps for RJIL (5G/4G) and 13.60 Mbps for
VIL (5G/4G/2G). Detail of upload throughput has been provided in the map Annexed.
Locations of Dropped Calls and Call Silence instances can be seen by clicking the red dot on the
map Annexed.
Details of drive test route and area covered during the IDT is as under: -a. Bathinda City: - Behman Diwana, Lal Singh Nagar, Ganpati Enclave, Jassi Pauwali, Tungwali,
Bhucho Mandi, Guru Gobind Singh Nagar, Bhokra, Goniana, Nehian Wala, Buladewala, Killi Nihal
Singhwali and Kothe Chet Singh etc.
b. Sri Muktsar Sahib City: - Bhalaiana, Buttar Sarinh, Lohara, Doda, Bhullar, New Grain Market,
Subash Nagar, Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar, Udekaran and Guru Anand Dev Nagar etc.
c. Railway Route: - Amritsar to Bathinda Via Beas Jn, Jalandhar City Jn, Kapurthala, Kapurthala Rail
Coach Factory, Sultanpur Lodhi, Lohian Khas Jn, Makhu, Firozpur Cantt Jn, Faridkot, Kot Kapura
Jn and Gangsar Jaito.
The findings of this IDT report have been shared with respective TSPs for taking further necessary action
at their end, if required. A detailed report of IDT is made available on the TRAI website at www.trai.gov.i
n. For any clarification or additional information, an email can be sent to the Regional office of TRAI at
Jaipur on Email id adv.jaipur@trai.gov.in. Regional Office of TRAI at Jaipur RO can be contacted on
telephone no. 0141-2701919.
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