Date: 2026-06-02Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
TRAI Assesses Mobile Network Quality Across Palampur & Nearby areas and Highway Route from Chandigarh to Palampur passing through Bilaspur, Ghumarwin, Hamirpur & Bhawarna
**Executive Summary**
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released findings from Independent Drive Tests (IDT) conducted between March 10 and March 13, 2026, to assess mobile network quality in Palampur and the Chandigarh-Palampur highway. The report evaluates voice and data performance across 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G networks for all Telecom Service Providers (TSPs). These findings have been shared with TSPs to encourage service improvements and inform consumers about regional network performance.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Test Scope and Methodology**
* **Coverage Areas:** The IDT covered 197.4 KMs in Palampur City, 242.1 KMs along the Chandigarh-Palampur highway, five hotspot locations, and 1.6 KMs of walk tests in crowded areas like Palampur Main Market.
* **Technologies Assessed:** Real-time performance was monitored for 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G networks using multiple advanced test handsets and software.
* **Key Metrics:** Performance was measured based on Coverage Gap, Call Setup Success Rate (CSSR), Drop Call Rate (DCR), and data throughput (Download/Upload speeds).
**Network Performance in Palampur City**
* **Coverage Gaps:** BSNL recorded the highest number of poor signal samples (15,526), while Airtel recorded the lowest (918).
* **Voice Quality:** Dropped calls were highest for BSNL (12) and VIL (9), compared to RJIL (1) and Airtel (2).
* **Data Throughput:** RJIL delivered the highest average download speed at 194.17 Mbps, while BSNL (3G) recorded the lowest at 6.95 Mbps.
**Network Performance on Chandigarh-Palampur Highway**
* **Coverage Gaps:** BSNL and VIL showed significant gaps with 7,641 and 4,269 poor signal samples, respectively; Airtel (372) and RJIL (483) performed better.
* **Call Stability:** BSNL and VIL experienced the most dropped calls (14 and 12, respectively). RJIL had the lowest call drop count (1).
* **Data Throughput:** Average download speeds reached 199.45 Mbps for RJIL and 145.87 Mbps for Airtel, significantly exceeding the typical speeds declared by the TSPs.
**Stationary and Pedestrian Testing**
* **Hotspots:** Testing at Baijnath Temple, Palampur Bus Stand, and the Civil Court Complex captured stationary user experiences.
* **Walk Tests:** Conducted on March 11, 2026, to evaluate network behavior in crowded pedestrian environments.
**Impact Analysis**
**Telecom Service Providers (TSPs)**
**Impact**
The report identifies specific geographic gaps in coverage, high call drop rates, and instances of call silence across their respective networks.
**Action Required**
TSPs must review the detailed IDT findings and take necessary corrective actions to improve network infrastructure and meet Quality of Service (QoS) parameters.
**General Consumers**
**Impact**
Consumers are provided with transparent, real-time data regarding which providers offer the most reliable voice and data services in the Palampur region and on major highway routes.
**Action Required**
Consumers should use these published findings to make informed decisions regarding their choice of service provider based on regional performance.
**TRAI Regional Office, Delhi**
**Impact**
The agency has verified the actual ground-level performance of TSPs against their declared service standards.
**Action Required**
TRAI will continue to monitor these routes and hotspots to ensure TSPs address the identified deficiencies and improve overall service quality.
Key Entities Referenced
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI): The primary regulatory body that conducted the assessment and released findings on mobile network quality of service parameters.
Independent Drive Test (IDT): A specific initiative conducted to capture and verify real-time mobile network performance across voice and data services.
Palampur and Chandigarh-Palampur Highway: The central geographical locations and transit route defining the scope of the network quality assessment.
HP LSA: The Himachal Pradesh Licensed Service Area, representing the specific regulatory jurisdiction where the drive tests were performed.
Ministry of Communications
TRAI Assesses Mobile Network Quality Across
Palampur & Nearby areas and Highway Route
from Chandigarh to Palampur passing through
Bilaspur, Ghumarwin, Hamirpur & Bhawarna
Posted On: 02 JUN 2026 1:28PM by PIB Delhi
TRAI Assesses Mobile Network Quality Across Palampur, Maranda, Bhawarna Khas, Panchrukhi,
Majheran Khas, Paprola, Baijnath, Aweri, Sungal, Bharamat Uparli, Sornu, Khas Khalet, Pharer,
Bindravan, Nagri, Arth Jhilki, Darang Khas, Malan, Gopalpur, Sukairi, Kandi & Saperu etc. in Palampur
City & Nearby areas and highway Route from Chandigarh to Palampur passing through Bilaspur,
Ghumarwin, Hamirpur & Bhawarna etc.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released findings of Independent Drive Test (IDT)
conducted across Palampur City and Chandigarh to Palampur Highway Route under HP 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 test, 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 – 197.4 KMs, Hotspot
locations - 05, Walk Test - 1.6 Kms in Palampur City & nearby areas and Chandigarh to Palampur
Highway Route - 242.1 Kms during 10th March 2026 to 13th March 2026 in HP LSA. These tests were
conducted under the supervision of the TRAI Regional Office, Delhi. The observations presented in drive
test reports represent the performance of the TSPs in the areas/ route under test on the day/ time of
conduct of 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 was 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 Servies: Download/ Upload Throughput, Latency, Jitter, Packet Drop Rate.
The overall mobile network performance in Palampur city route for the key parameters has been
summarised below: -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 918/ 30794 for Airtel, 15526/ 29977 for
BSNL, 1358/ 30530 for RJIL and 4287/ 30018 for VIL. Details of the coverage gaps have
been provided in the map attached as Annexure-I..
b) Dropped Calls - Dropped calls in auto-selection mode (5G/ 4G/ 3G/ 2G), measured as the
number of dropped calls out of the number of successfully established calls, were 2/ 277 for
Airtel, 12/ 266 for BSNL, 1/ 279 for RJIL and 9/ 271 for VIL. Details of the dropped call
locations have been provided in the map attached as Annexure-I.
c) Call Silence Instance - Call silence instances in Auto-selection mode (5G/4G), measured
as the total number of silence instances observed for > 3 seconds out of the total calls
established, were 5/ 263 for Airtel, 03/ 270 for RJIL and 10/ 261 for VIL. Details of the call
silence instance locations have been provided in the map attached as Annexure-I.
d) Data Download and Upload Throughput:
i) Data Download performance (Overall): Average download speed was observed as
155.87 Mbps for Airtel (5G/4G), 6.95 Mbps for BSNL (3G), 194.17 Mbps for RJIL
(5G/4G) and 12.66 Mbps for VIL (5G/4G/2G). Details of Download throughput has been
provided in the map attached as Annexure-I.
ii) Data Upload performance (Overall): Average upload speed was observed as 16.40 Mbps
for Airtel (5G/4G), 2.52 Mbps for BSNL (3G), 16.73 Mbps for RJIL (5G/4G) and 04.00
Mbps for VIL (5G/4G/2G). Details of Upload throughput has been provided in the map
attached as Annexure-I.
Locations of Dropped Calls and Call Silence instances can be seen by clicking red dot on
the map attached as Annexure-I.
The overall mobile network performance in Chandigarh to Palampur Highway Route for the key
parameters has been summarised below: -
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 372/24378 for Airtel, 7641/23479 for
BSNL, 483 /24520 for RJIL and 4269 / 23713 for VIL. Details of the coverage gaps have been
provided in the map attached as Annexure-II.
b) Dropped Calls - Dropped calls in auto-selection mode (5G/ 4G/ 3G/ 2G), measured as the
number of dropped calls out of the number of successfully established calls, were 2/ 122 for
Airtel, 14/ 130 for BSNL, 1/ 122 for RJIL and 12/ 122 for VIL. Details of the dropped call
locations have been provided in the map attached as Annexure-II.
c) Call Silence Instance - Call silence instances in Auto-selection mode (5G/4G), measured
as the total number of silence instances observed for > 3 seconds out of the total calls
established, were 11/ 124 for Airtel, 00/ 122 for RJIL and 11/ 124 for VIL. Details of the call
silence instance locations have been provided in map attached as Annexure-II.
d) Data Download and Upload Throughput:
i) Data Download performance (Overall): Average download speed was observed as
145.87 Mbps for Airtel (5G/4G), 10.40 Mbps for BSNL (3G), 199.45 Mbps for RJIL
(5G/4G) and 11.56 Mbps for VIL (5G/4G/2G). Details of Download throughput has beenprovided in the map attached as Annexure-II.
ii) Data Upload performance (Overall): Average upload speed was observed as 22.49 Mbps
for Airtel (5G/4G), 3.80 Mbps for BSNL (3G), 21.97 Mbps for RJIL (5G/4G) and 6.35
Mbps for VIL (5G/4G/2G). Detail of Upload throughput has been provided in the map
attached as Annexure-II.
Locations of Dropped Calls and Call Silence instances can be seen by clicking the red dot
on the map attached as Annexure-II.
Details of drive test route and area covered during the IDT is as under: -
a) City - The areas covered in the city drive are Palampur, Maranda, Bhawarna Khas,
Panchrukhi, Majheran Khas, Paprola, Baijnath, Aweri, Sungal, Bharamat Uparli, Sornu, Khas
Khalet, Pharer, Bindravan, Nagri, Arth Jhilki, Darang Khas, Malan, Gopalpur, Sukairi, Kandi
& Saperu etc.
b) Highway - The areas covered in the highway drive from Chandigarh to Palampur included
Bilaspur, Ghumarwin, Hamirpur, & Bhawarna etc.
c) Hotspot - The hot spot locations, capturing stationary user experience, are Baijnath
Temple, Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Palampur, Civil Court Complex,
Palampur, Palampur Bus Stand and Palampur Market.
d) Walk Test - The walk tests conducted on 11th March 2026, covered Palampur Main Market
capturing mobile network behaviour in crowded pedestrian environments.
The findings of this IDT report have been shared with respective TSPs for taking further necessary action
at their end. Detailed reports of IDT are made available on the TRAI website at www.trai.gov.in. For any
clarification or additional information, an email can be sent to adv.ca@trai.gov or Regional Office of
TRAI at Delhi RO can be contacted on telephone no. +91-11-20907772.
Annexure-I
Palampur City & Nearby areas:
a. Coverage Gap – The coverage distribution found less than the minimum specified signal strength
for the drive test route in auto-selection mode (5G/4G/3G/2G) during voice testing, is as below: -
Parameter AIRTEL BSNL RJIL VIL
Total Number of Samples captured on Drive test route 30794 29977 30530 30018
Number of Samples having poor signal strength 918 15526 1358 4287
Note: Signal strength has been considered poor if it falls below −110 dBm for 5G & 4G, −90 dBm for
3G, and −85 dBm for 2G.
Coverage Gap observedb) Dropped Calls - The TSP-wise details of dropped calls in auto-selection mode (5G/ 4G/ 3G/ 2G) are as
below: -
Parameter AIRTEL BSNL RJIL VIL
Number of successful Calls Established 277 266 279 271
Number of dropped Calls 2 12 1 9
Locations of Dropped CallsNote: Dropped calls locations are shown in red colour and which can be clicked to know the exact
location (latitude and longitude) on the map
c) Call Silence Instance - The TSP-wise details of Call silence instance in Auto-selection mode
(5G/4G) are as below: -
Parameter AIRTEL BSNL RJIL VIL
Call Established 263 NA* 270 261
(within service provider network)
Number of silences calls for >3 Sec 5 NA* 3 7
Total number of silence instances for >3 Sec 5 NA* 3 10
* NA – Not Applicable
Locations of Call Silence InstanceNote: Call silence instances are shown in red colour and which can be clicked to know the exact
location (latitude and longitude) on the map
d) Data Download and Upload throughput: The TSP-wise details of Average Download (DL) and
Upload (UL) throughput against declared typical DL/UL Throughput for month, in Auto-selection
mode (5G/4G/3G/2G) are as below: -
(i) Download ThroughputParameter Measured AIRTEL BSNL RJIL VIL
in
(upto 5G) (upto 4G) (upto 5G) (upto 4G)
Typical Download throughput (Mbits/s) 12.69 3.00 15.00 15.00
declared by TSP
Average Download Throughput (Mbits/s) 155.87 6.95 194.17 12.66
measured during IDTNote: Plot is based on Dynamic Drive Test results only
(ii) Upload Throughput
Parameter Measured AIRTEL BSNL RJIL VIL
in
(upto 5G) (upto 4G) (upto 5G) (upto 4G)
Typical upload throughput (Mbits/s) 0.79 3.00 7.00 8.00
declared by TSP
Average Upload Throughput (Mbits/s) 16.40 2.52 16.73 4.00
measured during IDTNote: Plot is based on Dynamic Drive Test results only
Annexure-II
Chandigarh to Palampur Highway Route: -
a. Coverage Gap – The coverage distribution found less than the minimum specified signal strength
for the drive test route in auto-selection mode (5G/4G/3G/2G) during voice testing, is as below: -
Parameter AIRTEL BSNL RJIL VIL
Total Number of Samples captured on Drive test route 24378 23479 24520 23713Number of Samples having poor signal strength 372 7641 483 4269
Note: Signal strength has been considered poor if it falls below −110 dBm for 5G & 4G, −90 dBm for
3G, and −85 dBm for 2G.
Coverage Gap observedNote: Plot is based on Dynamic Drive Test results only
b) Dropped Calls - The TSP-wise details of dropped calls in auto-selection mode (5G/ 4G/ 3G/ 2G)
are as below: -
Parameter AIRTEL BSNL RJIL VIL
Number of successful Calls Established 122 130 122 122
Number of dropped Calls 2 14 1 12
Locations of Dropped CallsNote: Dropped calls locations are shown in red colour and which can be clicked to know the exact
location (latitude and longitude) on the map
c) Call Silence Instance - The TSP-wise details of Call silence instance in Auto-selection mode
(5G/4G) are as below: -
Parameter AIRTEL BSNL RJIL VIL
Call Established 124 NA* 122 124
(within service provider network)
Number of silences calls for >3 Sec 6 NA* 0 7
Total number of silence instances for >3 Sec 11 NA* 0 11
* NA – Not Applicable
Locations of Call Silence InstanceNote: Call silence instances are shown in red colour and which can be clicked to know the exact
location (latitude and longitude) on the map
d) Data Download and Upload throughput: The TSP-wise details of Average Download (DL) and
Upload (UL) throughput against declared typical DL/UL Throughput for month, in Auto-selection
mode (5G/4G/3G/2G) are as below: -
(i) Download Throughput
Parameter Measured AIRTEL BSNL RJIL VIL
in
(upto 5G) (upto 4G) (upto 5G) (upto 5G)Typical Download throughput (Mbits/s) 12.69 3.00 15.00 15.00
declared by TSP
Average Download Throughput (Mbits/s) 145.87 10.40 199.45 11.56
measured during IDTNote: Plot is based on Dynamic Drive Test results only
(ii) Upload Throughput
Parameter Measured AIRTEL BSNL RJIL VIL
in
(upto 5G) (upto 4G) (upto 5G) (upto 5G)
Typical upload throughput (Mbits/s) 0.79 3.00 7.00 8.00
declared by TSP
Average Upload Throughput (Mbits/s) 22.49 3.80 21.97 6.35
measured during IDTNote: Plot is based on Dynamic Drive Test results only.
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