The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released findings from its Independent Drive Test conducted across Chennai City under Tamil Nadu LSA during July 15-17, 2026. The assessment aimed to verify real-time quality of mobile network services (both voice and data) provided by Telecom Service Providers, evaluating key Quality of Service parameters including coverage, call drop rate, call setup success rate, and data download/upload throughput.
Test Methodology and Coverage
The drive test covered 232.8 kilometers of city driving, 7 hotspot locations, and 9.9 kilometers of walk tests, conducted under the supervision of TRAI Regional Office Hyderabad. The assessment used multiple advanced test handsets establishing live data and voice sessions using SIM cards from all TSPs over 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G networks, monitored in real-time using advanced software systems. Geographic coverage included Tiruneermalai, Pammal, St. Thomas Mount, Guindy, Saidapet, Alwarpet, Mylapore, Egmore, George Town, Royapuram, Tol Gate, Kilpauk, Anna Nagar, Koyambedu, Puliambedu, Chembarambakkam, and Kanadapalayam.
Key Performance Metrics
Coverage Gap: Measured as samples with signal strength below minimum prescribed levels, Airtel showed 43 poor signal samples out of 57,398 total samples, BSNL 1,072/56,431, Reliance Jio 159/55,815, and Vodafone Idea 54/56,842. For limited service instances, Airtel had 7/57,398, BSNL 191/56,431, while Jio and Vodafone Idea showed 0 instances.
Call Performance: Dropped calls measured as dropped calls per successfully established calls showed Airtel with 0/500, BSNL 12/499, Reliance Jio 1/514, and Vodafone Idea 1/508. Call silence instances (silence >3 seconds) were recorded at 3/493 for Airtel, 38/486 for BSNL, 2/492 for Reliance Jio, and 3/501 for Vodafone Idea.
Data Performance: Average download speeds were 125.49 Mbps for Airtel (5G/4G), 11.40 Mbps for BSNL (3G), 302.97 Mbps for Reliance Jio (5G/4G), and 38.76 Mbps for Vodafone Idea (5G/4G/2G). Upload speeds averaged 34.21 Mbps for Airtel, 6.37 Mbps for BSNL, 30.43 Mbps for Reliance Jio, and 25.22 Mbps for Vodafone Idea.
Hotspot and Walk Test Locations
Stationary user experience was assessed at seven hotspot locations: Chennai Airport Parking, CtrlS Data Center, Hotel Lemon Tree, Press Information Bureau, Saveetha Engineering College, Vadapalani Metro Station, and VR Mall Chennai. Walk tests were conducted at Chennai Airport Runway and inside Chennai Airport Terminal on July 16, 2026.
The findings have been shared with respective TSPs for necessary corrective actions, and detailed reports are available on the TRAI website at www.trai.gov.in. For clarifications, stakeholders can contact the TRAI Regional Office Hyderabad at 040-23000761 or adv.hyderabad@trai.gov.in.