TRAI Chennai Mobile Network Quality Assessment July 2026
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released findings from its Independent Drive Test (IDT) conducted across Chennai City under Tamil Nadu LSA during July 2026. The assessment was designed 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.
The drive testing was conducted from 15th to 17th July 2026 under the supervision of TRAI Regional Office Hyderabad, covering 232.8 kilometers of city drive, 7 hotspot locations, and 9.9 kilometers of walk tests. Testing utilized multiple advanced test handsets with SIM cards from all TSPs across 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G networks, monitored in real-time using advanced software systems.
Key Performance Metrics
Coverage Gap Analysis: For signal strength below minimum prescribed levels in auto-selection mode, Airtel showed 43 poor samples out of 57,398 total samples, BSNL 1,072/56,431, RJIL 159/55,815, and VIL 54/56,842. For limited service instances, Airtel recorded 7/57,398, BSNL 191/56,431, while RJIL and VIL showed 0 instances.
Call Performance: Dropped call rates were 0 out of 500 calls for Airtel, 12/499 for BSNL, 1/514 for RJIL, and 1/508 for VIL. Call silence instances (>3 seconds) were observed in 3/493 calls for Airtel, 38/486 for BSNL, 2/492 for RJIL, and 3/501 for VIL.
Data Performance: Average download speeds showed significant variation: Airtel (5G/4G) at 125.49 Mbps, BSNL (3G) at 11.40 Mbps, RJIL (5G/4G) at 302.97 Mbps, and VIL (5G/4G/2G) at 38.76 Mbps. Upload speeds averaged 34.21 Mbps for Airtel, 6.37 Mbps for BSNL, 30.43 Mbps for RJIL, and 25.22 Mbps for VIL.
Geographic Coverage
The testing covered extensive areas including Tiruneermalai, Pammal, St. Thomas Mount, Guindy, Saidapet, Alwarpet, Mylapore, Egmore, George Town, Royapuram, Tol Gate, Kilpauk, Anna Nagar, Koyambedu, Puliambedu, Chembarambakkam, and Kanadapalayam. Hotspot locations included Chennai Airport Parking, CtrlS Data Center, Hotel Lemon Tree, Press Information Bureau, Saveetha Engineering College, Vadapalani Metro Station, and VR Mall Chennai. Walk tests specifically covered Chennai Airport Runway and inside Chennai Airport Terminal.
The findings have been shared with respective TSPs for necessary corrective actions, and detailed reports are available on the TRAI website. The assessment represents network performance specifically on the tested routes and times during the drive test period.