The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released findings from an Independent Drive Test (IDT) conducted across Palampur City and the Chandigarh to Palampur Highway Route under Himachal Pradesh LSA during March 10-13, 2026. The purpose of this drive test was to assess and verify real-time quality of mobile network services (both voice and data) provided by Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) including Airtel, BSNL, RJIL, and VIL.

Test Methodology and Scope

The drive test covered 197.4 kilometers of city routes, 242.1 kilometers of highway routes, 5 hotspot locations, and 1.6 kilometers of walk tests in Palampur city and nearby areas. The city areas included 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, and Saperu. The highway route covered from Chandigarh to Palampur passing through Bilaspur, Ghumarwin, Hamirpur, and Bhawarna. Hotspot locations included Baijnath Temple, Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Krishi Vishwavidyalaya, Civil Court Complex, Palampur Bus Stand, and Palampur Market.

Palampur City Performance Results

For coverage gap (samples with poor signal strength), Airtel showed 918 out of 30,794 samples (3.0%), BSNL 15,526 out of 29,977 samples (51.8%), RJIL 1,358 out of 30,530 samples (4.4%), and VIL 4,287 out of 30,018 samples (14.3%).

Dropped calls in auto-selection mode were: Airtel 2 out of 277 calls (0.7%), BSNL 12 out of 266 calls (4.5%), RJIL 1 out of 279 calls (0.4%), and VIL 9 out of 271 calls (3.3%).

Call silence instances (>3 seconds) in 5G/4G mode were: Airtel 5 instances out of 263 calls, RJIL 3 instances out of 270 calls, and VIL 10 instances out of 261 calls (BSNL not applicable).

Data download performance showed average speeds of: Airtel 155.87 Mbps (5G/4G), BSNL 6.95 Mbps (3G), RJIL 194.17 Mbps (5G/4G), and VIL 12.66 Mbps (5G/4G/2G). Upload speeds were: Airtel 16.40 Mbps, BSNL 2.52 Mbps, RJIL 16.73 Mbps, and VIL 4.00 Mbps.

Chandigarh-Palampur Highway Performance Results

For coverage gap, Airtel showed 372 out of 24,378 samples (1.5%), BSNL 7,641 out of 23,479 samples (32.5%), RJIL 483 out of 24,520 samples (2.0%), and VIL 4,269 out of 23,713 samples (18.0%).

Dropped calls were: Airtel 2 out of 122 calls (1.6%), BSNL 14 out of 130 calls (10.8%), RJIL 1 out of 122 calls (0.8%), and VIL 12 out of 122 calls (9.8%).

Call silence instances were: Airtel 11 instances out of 124 calls, RJIL 0 instances out of 122 calls, and VIL 11 instances out of 124 calls (BSNL not applicable).

Data download performance showed average speeds of: Airtel 145.87 Mbps, BSNL 10.40 Mbps, RJIL 199.45 Mbps, and VIL 11.56 Mbps. Upload speeds were: Airtel 22.49 Mbps, BSNL 3.80 Mbps, RJIL 21.97 Mbps, and VIL 6.35 Mbps.

Additional Findings and Disclosure

The drive test was conducted using multiple advanced test handsets with live data and voice sessions established using SIM cards from all TSPs over 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G networks. Signal strength was considered poor if it fell below -110 dBm for 5G & 4G, -90 dBm for 3G, and -85 dBm for 2G. The findings have been shared with respective TSPs for necessary action, and detailed reports are available on TRAI's website (www.trai.gov.in).