Introduction
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) contributes to this competitive landscape by undertaking Independent Drive Tests (IDTs) to measure the performance of telecom operators on several parameters. These tests give consumers an excellent idea of each provider’s services.
TRAI’s IDTs tests that gauge major performance indicators like Call Setup Success Rate (CSSR), Call Setup Time (CST), Mean Opinion Score (MOS) for voice calls, call drop rates, and data speeds. Performed across regions like urban and rural areas, these tests provide a complete picture of a network’s reliability and efficiency. Consumers use this information to make well-informed choices regarding the service providers, which affects the market forces and pushes operators to upgrade their offerings.
Jio achieved a call setup success rate of 94.00%, beating the competition in call setup time and data download speeds. Its 5G network delivered a median download speed of 258.54 Mbps, winning the competition in speed and coverage.
This article discusses TRAI’s findings in detail, focusing on it’s positives and comparing them with those of its rivals to give a complete picture of the present telecom scenario in India.
TRAI’s Independent Drive Tests
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) carries out Independent Drive Tests (IDTs) to measure the quality of voice and data services that telecommunication service providers offer. The tests measure some Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to ensure thorough service quality assessment. The article gives all details about Jio’s voice services, geographical services, and data coverage:
Voice Call Services:
- CSSR estimates the proportion of calls set up in total attempts.
- CST measures the average time to set up a call.
- CDR is the computed percentage of spam calls.
- Call Silence Rate is assessed for calls with no audio transfer.
- MOS is a call quality measure ranging from 1 to 5.
- Signal Strength Coverage Measures the level of network coverage and signal strength.
TRAI’s IDTs cover a wide variety of places to serve as an all-around evaluation of network performance in varied environments:
- Urban Areas: Urban cities such as New Delhi, Bengaluru, Jaipur, and Hyderabad are covered to gauge network performance in high-population areas.
- Highways: Highways like the Sohna to Dausa Highway and Raipur-Bilaspur-Raigarh Highway measure connectivity while traveling.
- Railways: Rail tracks such as Jaipur Junction to Madhopur and Jammu to Srinagar are tested for mobile network performance on trains.
- Remote Regions: Regions such as Jabalpur city and the Vapi-Rewari Highway are added to measure the network coverage in non-metropolitan areas.
These varied locations ensure the tests experience real-life usage scenarios on different terrains and conditions.
Data Services:
Jio ensures accuracy and reliability, while TRAI utilizes a step-by-step process while carrying out IDTs:
- TRAI’s partner agencies are conducting drive tests.
- TRAI Tests carry out standardized protocols to ensure comparison results.
- Every test covers a pre-specified distance to ensure extensive network performance data is captured
- The tests analyze networks that run on different technologies, such as 2G, 3 G, 4G, and 5G, to measure the performance across several generations of mobile networks.
- The results are brought together in in-depth reports, showing the performance indicators of every operator in the test areas.
This strong methodology ensures that the IDTs give an accurate measure of telecom service quality so that consumers are better equipped to make the right choices and spur service providers to improve services. For more information and to download the complete reports, you may log on to TRAI’s website: www.analytics.trai.gov.in
Jio’s Performance
- Call Connectivity Excellence
Reliance Jio’s Call Setup Success Rate (CSSR) was over 99% in most locations, ensuring that most call attempts went through successfully. Such a high success rate reflects Jio’s robust network architecture and ability to handle many calls hassle-free.
Jio had Call Setup Time (CST) and some of the fastest carrier connection rates. For example, in Delhi, Jio set up calls in only 0.73 seconds, faster than Airtel (0.82 seconds) and Vodafone Idea (1.55 seconds). This quick call setup improves user experience by reducing waiting times.
Jio recorded a MOS of 3.92, reflecting high voice clarity and minimum call interruptions. But Airtel marginally surpassed Jio with an MOS of 3.94; both operators surpassed the rest in offering precise voice services.
- Internet Speed Supremacy
Jio topped the sector in mobile internet download speeds, with a median download speed of 158.63 Mbps in the second half of 2024. This beat the 100.67 Mbps of Airtel and Vodafone Idea’s 21.60 Mbps by a wide margin. In 5G networks, Jio continued its dominance with a median download speed of 258.54 Mbps.
Jio attained 8.93 Mbps, beating Vodafone Idea’s 3.8 Mbps. Airtel registered faster upload speeds, but Jio is still competitive in maintaining efficient consumer data transfer.
- Jio’s Dominance Across India
In Delhi, Jio performs outstanding data performance with a download speed of 266.42 Mbps and an upload speed of 21.40 Mbps. Jio’s voice quality was under strain, registering a call setup success rate of 94.00%, much lower than Airtel’s 99.25%. Jio also had a call mute rate of 3.01%, meaning that a significant percentage of calls were silent, whereas Airtel had a much lower mute rate of 0.55%.
In Madhya Pradesh, Jabalpur city and Raipur-Bilaspur-Raigarh Highway, Jio attained a success rate of 99.84% and a call setup time of 0.76 seconds. Despite this, Airtel is at the top with a call setup success rate of 100%. In data performance, Jio attained an average download speed of 280.43 Mbps and an upload speed of 37.45 Mbps, Airtel’s 133.79 Mbps download and 26.51 Mbps upload speeds.
Other States
- Odisha: Jio recorded an average download speed of 290.04 Mbps and an upload speed of 37.45 Mbps. Its call setup success rate is 97.41%, with a call setup time of 1.13 seconds. The call drop rate is now 0.53%, and the mute rate was 0.99%, reflecting good voice services.
- Uttar Pradesh: Jio performance indicators, with high call setup successes and low call drops, to provide service quality to its users.
- West Bengal: Jio’s network offered consistent connectivity, with competitive data speeds and voice quality, to its extensive regional user satisfaction.
Jio vs. Competitors
Airtel
Airtel leads in call quality parameters by registering a call setup success rate of 99.25%, a call setup time of 0.82 seconds, and a call drop rate of merely 0.12%. Airtel had the lowest call mute rate of 0.55% among other competitors, reflecting better voice clarity during calls. Airtel also dominates upload speeds, with a mean of 34.37 Mbps, beating Jio’s 23.91 Mbps. This speed plays a vital role in doing tasks such as video conferencing and file uploading.
Airtel’s download speeds are on par with those of Jio; they are behind Jio. Airtel attained a download speed of 171.44 Mbps against Jio’s 231.82 Mbps. Although Airtel is a leader in call quality, its call mute rate is greater than that of Jio, which shows scope for improvement in providing continuous voice communication.
Vodafone Idea (Vi)
Call drops are a significant issue for Vi. In some circles, it has been reported that call drop percentages are above 2%, with places like Aligarh and Fatehpur-Varanasi highway having rates of up to 5.5% and 5.8%, respectively. Vi’s data speed was significantly slower than InDelhi’s. Its download speed was only 14.45 Mbps, while it reduced to 3.71 Mbps in Bhubaneswar.
Vi is enhancing performance by increasing and developing the network infrastructure. Resolving issues results in Vi retaining current customers, and consistent service quality is an essential parameter for customer satisfaction.
BSNL
In October 2024, BSNL maintained a market share of 8.08%, less than private players Jio (39.3%) and Airtel (32.85%).
BSNL’s performance is behind the competition in significant measures by its success rate of 94.41%, a call setup time of 2.49 seconds, and a call drop rate of 7.11%. Its download and upload rates are also the worst among all operators. BSNL plans to expand its market share to 20% by 2024, speed up its 4G network launch, and roll out 5G services in 2025. BSNL must improve its network infrastructure by targeting cut call drop rates and enhancing data speeds to address the increasing needs of consumers.
Summary Table
| Operator | Call Setup Success Rate | Call Drop Rate | Download Speed (Mbps) | Upload Speed (Mbps) | Call Mute Rate |
Jio | 94% | 0.23% | 231.82 | 23.91 | 3.01% |
| Airtel | 99.25% | 0.12% | 171.44 | 34.37 | 0.55% |
| Vi | 99.25% | >2% | 14.45 | 4.59 | 2.34% |
| BSNL | 94.41% | 7.11% | 3.71 | 1.67 | 2.77% |
Conclusion
Reliance has repeatedly shown its network leadership in recent TRAI Independent Drive Tests in cities such as Delhi, Jaipur, Hyderabad, and Jabalpur. The tests examined important performance parameters like Call Setup Success Rate, Call Setup Time, Mean Opinion Score, download/upload speed, and call drop rate. Jio’s recent results emphasize the need for a strong network infrastructure and regular performance across different parameters.
FAQs
- What does the recent TRAI report reveal about Jio’s performance in India?
TRAI’s recent tests reveal that Jio is way ahead of the nation in terms of call connectivity and internet speed, leaving behind rivals such as Airtel, Vodafone, and BSNL.
2. Why is Reliance way ahead in call connectivity?
Jio has spent a lot on its network infrastructure, providing uniform and good connectivity in urban and rural regions. Its application of cutting-edge technology, such as VoLTE (Voice over LTE), enables crystal-clear and reliable calls.
How is Jio’s internet speed?
Based on the recent TRAI tests, Jio always leads with internet speed, providing higher average download and upload speeds than other networks in India.
What are the reasons for Jio’s high internet speeds?
Jio’s strong network, implementation of cutting-edge 4G and 5G technology, and huge spectrum ownership are the primary reasons for its higher internet speeds.
- How is Reliance different from other telecom operators in India?
Jio has currently overtaken rivals such as Airtel, Vodafone, and BSNL in terms of call connectivity and internet speed. Airtel is, though, a very close runner-up with good performance in certain areas.
