TRAI Balasore Drive Test Reveals Sharp Telecom Quality Gaps
- Jio led download speeds at 239.24 Mbps
- Audit covered 345 km across Balasore
- BSNL logged highest voice call drops
- Four major telecom operators evaluated
Mobile subscribers across Balasore experience vastly different network realities depending on their telecom operator. Fresh field-testing data released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India reveals significant performance disparities across 345 kilometers of urban routes and seven high-density public hotspots in the Odisha circle.
Download speeds showed the sharpest contrast among service providers during the audit. Reliance Jio led the pack with an average download throughput of 239.24 Mbps, while Bharti Airtel delivered 67.10 Mbps. Vodafone Idea averaged 24.65 Mbps, and state-run BSNL lagged at 8.18 Mbps on its 3G setup.
Voice call reliability revealed similar operational hurdles, particularly for state and legacy infrastructure. BSNL recorded 11 dropped calls and 31 call-silence incidents lasting over three seconds out of 356 attempts. By comparison, Jio and Airtel recorded only three and four dropped calls, maintaining dependable voice links throughout the test routes.
Coverage blind spots also created persistent friction for local consumers. Both Vodafone Idea and BSNL logged poor signal strength in over 16 percent of tested locations, whereas Airtel and Jio encountered weak signals in around two percent of samples. The regulator has forwarded the findings directly to operators to force corrective infrastructure upgrades in identified dead zones.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the fastest mobile network in Balasore during the TRAI test?
Reliance Jio recorded the highest average download speed at 239.24 Mbps, followed by Bharti Airtel at 67.10 Mbps.
Which operator experienced the most dropped calls in Balasore?
BSNL registered the highest number of failed calls, with 11 dropped calls and 31 prolonged silence instances during testing.
What areas were covered during the TRAI Balasore drive test?
The audit spanned 345 kilometers across Balasore and surrounding towns, alongside seven stationary hotspots including the District Hospital and Jaleswar Railway Station.
Source
PIB Press Release ID 2319941, Ministry of Communications · 2026-10-07
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