The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released findings of independent drive test (IDT) conducted across Bathinda, Sri Muktsar Sahib cities and Amritsar to Bathinda rail route [in Punjab licensed service area (LSA)], during the month of March 2026, for information of general telecom consumers. The purpose of this drive test is to assess and verify real time quality of mobile network services (both voice and data) provided by telecom service providers (TSPs). During the IDT, TRAI captures performance of TSPs for key quality of service (QoS) parameters like coverage, call drop rate, call setup success rate, data download and upload throughput etc., which are then published to inform consumers and encourage TSPs to improve their services.

These IDTs have been designed to capture on ground mobile network performance of all TSPs across diverse usage environments like cities, hotspots, public transport hubs, etc. In this type of drive testing, live data and voice sessions are established using SIM cards from all TSPs over 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G networks. Multiple advanced test handsets are used, and the sessions are monitored and analysed in real-time using advanced software systems.

TRAI, through its appointed agency, conducted drive tests across city drive – 276.8 kms, hotspot locations – 06, railway – 282.8 kms during March 16, 2026, to March 19, 2026, in Punjab LSA. These tests were conducted under the supervision of the TRAI regional office Jaipur. The observations presented in drive test reports represent the performance of the TSPs on the area/ route under test on the day/ time of conducting the drive test.

As per the tests in Bathinda city, the signal strength observed during voice testing on the drive test route in auto-selection mode (5G/4G/3G/2G), measured as the number of samples having poor signal strength out of the total samples collected, was 287/30694 for Bharti Airtel, 7669/29845 for  Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), 378/30653 for Reliance Jio and 283/ 30542 for Vodafone Idea Limited (Vi). Dropped calls, measured as the number of dropped calls out of the number of successfully established calls, were 0/ 275 for Airtel, 4/ 268 for BSNL, 1/276 for Jio and 1/273 for Vi. Call silence instances, measured as the total number of silence instances observed for more than 3 seconds out of the total calls established, were 3/267 for Airtel, 1/266 for Jio and 17/268 for Vi.

Meanwhile, average download speed was observed as 151.88 Mbps for Airtel (5G/4G), 14.55 Mbps for BSNL (4G), 198.27 Mbps for Jio (5G/4G) and 34.07Mbps for Vi (5G/4G/2G). Average upload speed was observed as 18.53 Mbps for Airtel (5G/4G), 5.70 Mbps for Mahanagar Telephone Nigam Limited (MTNL) (3G), 14.19 Mbps for Jio (5G/4G) and 15.97 Mbps for Vi (5G/4G/2G).

As per tests in Sri Muktsar Sahib city, the signal strength observed during voice testing on the drive test route in auto-selection mode (5G/4G/3G/2G) was 70/10777 for Airtel, 2180/9510 for BSNL, 148/10119 for Jio and 43/10123 for Vi. Dropped calls were 0/91 for Airtel, 2/89 for BSNL, 1/91 for Jio and 0/91 for Vi. Call silence instances, measured as the total number of silence instances observed for more than 3 seconds out of the total calls established, were 2/87 for Airtel, 3/88 for Jio and 0/87 for Vi.

Further, average download speed was observed as 172.32 Mbps for Airtel (5G/4G), 18.20 Mbps for BSNL (4G), 222.90 Mbps for Jio (5G/4G) and 26.51 Mbps for Vi (5G/4G/2G). Average upload speed was observed as 11.02 Mbps for Airtel (5G/4G), 5.00 Mbps for BSNL (3G), 12.87 Mbps for Jio (5G/4G) and 13.19 Mbps for Vi (5G/4G/2G).

As per tests in Amritsar to Bathinda Rail route, the signal strength observed during voice testing on the drive test route in auto-selection mode (5G/4G/3G/2G) was 552/21422 for Airtel, 4959/20782 for BSNL, 287/21228 for Jio and 571/20813 for Vi. Dropped calls were 2/108 for Airtel, 8/109 for BSNL, 0/108 for Jio and 0/91 for Vi.

Furthermore, average download speed was observed as 95.82 Mbps for Airtel (5G/4G), 18.36 Mbps for BSNL (4G/3G), 111.72 Mbps for Jio (5G/4G) and 11.11 Mbps for Vi (5G/4G/2G). Average upload speed was observed as 19.89 Mbps for Airtel (5G/4G), 7.82 Mbps for BSNL (4G/3G), 16.93 Mbps for Jio (5G/4G) and 13.60 Mbps for Vi (5G/4G/2G).

Details of drive test route and area covered during the IDT is as under: –

  • Bathinda city: Behman Diwana, Lal Singh Nagar, Ganpati Enclave, Jassi Pauwali, Tungwali, Bhucho Mandi, Guru Gobind Singh Nagar, Bhokra, Goniana, Nehian Wala, Buladewala, Killi Nihal Singhwali and Kothe Chet Singh etc.
  • Sri Muktsar Sahib city: Bhalaiana, Buttar Sarinh, Lohara, Doda, Bhullar, New Grain Market, Subash Nagar, Guru Teg Bahadur Nagar, Udekaran and Guru Anand Dev Nagar etc.
  • Railway route: Amritsar to Bathinda Via Beas Jn, Jalandhar City Jn, Kapurthala, Kapurthala Rail Coach Factory, Sultanpur Lodhi, Lohian Khas Jn, Makhu, Firozpur Cantt Jn, Faridkot, Kot Kapura Jn and Gangsar Jaito.