The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has directed mobile operators to publish geospatial coverage maps on their websites, detailing the areas where they provide wireless voice and broadband services. This initiative is part of TRAI’s quality of service (QoS) regulations and aims to empower users with the information needed to make informed decisions when selecting a telecom provider.
According to the directive, telecom operators offering wireless services are required to display service-specific (2G, 3G, 4G, 5G) geospatial coverage maps for regions where their wireless voice or broadband services are available for subscription. These maps may also be made accessible on operators’ mobile apps for both Android and iOS platforms.
To ensure compliance, TRAI mandates that telcos meet the QoS benchmark of providing service-wise geospatial coverage maps for at least 99 per cent of operational cells, effective from April 1, 2025.
Additionally, operators must provide a prominently placed link, with an identifiable logo, on the homepage of their websites for easy access to the coverage maps.
TRAI has specified that these maps should be based on actual measurements (physical or via network analytics) or developed using standard industry prediction methods. Further, guidelines have been issued to define the minimum signal strength required for delineating the outer boundaries of network coverage for each mobile technology.
Furthermore, operators must regularly update their coverage maps, particularly if there are significant changes in mobile coverage within any licensed or authorised service area (LSA). Consumers should also be able to access updated coverage statuses.
TRAI has emphasised that operators should enable users to provide feedback on the network coverage displayed on the maps. This includes options for challenging the accuracy of the coverage or reporting issues through a dedicated feedback button on the map interface.
