TRAI South Delhi Mobile Network Quality Assessment July 2026

TRAI South Delhi Mobile Network Quality Assessment July 2026

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released findings from an Independent Drive Test (IDT) conducted across South Delhi and nearby areas under Delhi LSA during July 6-10, 2026. The assessment aimed to verify real-time quality of mobile network services (both voice and data) provided by Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) and inform consumers while encouraging service improvements.

Test Methodology and Coverage

The drive tests covered 310.4 km of city driving, 6 hotspot locations, and 5.5 km of walk tests, with inter-operator calling tests at 1 location. The assessment was conducted under TRAI Regional Office Delhi supervision using multiple advanced test handsets and real-time monitoring software systems across 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G networks. Geographic coverage included Dwarka, Uttam Nagar, Janakpuri, Mahipalpur, Malviya Nagar, Saket, Lajpat Nagar, Naraina, Patel Nagar, Karol Bagh, Vande Mataram Marg, Mayur Vihar, and Noida Sector 62. Hotspot locations included Administrative Building IIT Delhi, AIIMS OPD Area, Bhikaji Cama Place Metro Station, Delhi Public School R.K Puram, Hauz Khas Metro Station, and ISBT Sarai Kale Khan. Walk tests covered Dilli Haat INA, Sarojini Nagar Market, and WTC Nauroji Nagar on July 10, 2026.

Key Performance Metrics

Coverage gap analysis revealed significant variations: Airtel showed 610 poor signal samples out of 76,581 total samples (0.8%), MTNL demonstrated 50,483 poor signals out of 72,804 samples (69.3%), RJIL had 1,050 poor signals out of 75,172 samples (1.4%), and VIL showed 527 poor signals out of 76,883 samples (0.7%).

Call drop rates in auto-selection mode (5G/4G/3G/2G) showed MTNL with the highest rate at 99 dropped calls out of 661 established calls (15.0%), while Airtel had 3/684 (0.4%), RJIL had 1/684 (0.1%), and VIL had 3/689 (0.4%). Call silence instances (silence >3 seconds) in auto-selection mode (5G/4G) were observed at 11/657 for Airtel, 14/651 for RJIL, and 12/661 for VIL.

Data performance showed RJIL leading in 5G download throughput at 257.03 Mbps average, followed by Airtel at 176.82 Mbps (5G), VIL at 35.07 Mbps (5G), and MTNL at 4.69 Mbps (3G). Upload throughput performance showed Airtel at 24.83 Mbps (5G), VIL at 20.70 Mbps (5G), RJIL at 18.98 Mbps (5G), and MTNL at 1.15 Mbps (3G).

Regulatory Context and Disclosure

The findings have been shared with respective TSPs for necessary corrective actions. Detailed reports with location-specific data through interactive maps are available on the TRAI website (www.trai.gov.in), showing exact locations of dropped calls, call silence instances, and coverage gaps. The assessment represents network performance specifically on the tested routes during the test period and is intended to drive service quality improvements across the telecom sector.