TRAI Releases Mobile Network Performance Audit for Sonitpur, Assam

Overview of Findings

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has published the results of an Independent Drive Test (IDT) conducted in the Sonitpur district of Assam to assess the real-time quality of mobile network services. The tests, performed between August 10 and August 13, 2026, covered approximately 308 kilometers of city roads and ten stationary hotspot locations, including hospitals, educational institutions, and public transport hubs.

Performance Metrics

The assessment focused on key Quality of Service (QoS) indicators for major telecom service providers (TSPs) operating in the region. The data captured performance across 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G network generations.

Key Findings Include:

• Coverage Gaps: Significant variations in signal strength were recorded. TRAI reported that BSNL experienced the highest number of samples with poor signal strength (18,494 out of 41,037), while RJIL recorded the fewest (1,494 out of 43,999).
• Voice Call Reliability: Call drop rates varied significantly among providers. Airtel and RJIL reported zero dropped calls during the test period, whereas BSNL recorded 301 dropped calls out of 476 successful connections. VIL recorded 8 dropped calls out of 312.
• Data Throughput: Measured average download speeds notably exceeded the typical speeds declared by the TSPs. RJIL reached an average download throughput of 221.18 Mbps, followed by Airtel at 116.11 Mbps, VIL at 20.04 Mbps, and BSNL at 11.72 Mbps.

Methodology and Verification

The IDT utilized advanced test handsets and software systems to simulate real-world usage in both dynamic (city drives) and static (hotspot) environments. TRAI clarified that these observations reflect network performance specifically during the dates and times of the testing window.

Consumers and stakeholders can verify the full set of detailed findings, including specific location data for call drops and silence instances, by reviewing the official report published on the TRAI website. The report includes interactive mapping features that allow users to view data points by latitude and longitude.