5G in UP West: Unpacking TRAI's Independent Drive Test Findings
Discover how TRAI's drive test results in UP West reveal the 5G performance of major telcos. Learn why this matters for India's digital future.
Key Takeaways
- TRAI's drive test results highlight significant variations in 5G performance across UP West.
- Airtel and VIL top the charts in terms of call setup success rate and drop call rate.
- The findings underscore the need for sustained investment in 5G infrastructure.
Unpacking TRAI's Independent Drive Test Findings in UP West
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released its independent drive test (IDT) findings for the UP West Licensed Service Area (LSA), casting a spotlight on the 5G performance of major telcos. The comprehensive report, based on drive tests conducted in August 2025, offers a nuanced understanding of the network quality and performance in the region.
A Tale of Two Telcos: Airtel and VIL
Among the key takeaways from the report is the significant performance gap between Airtel and VIL on one hand, and BSNL and RJIL on the other. While Airtel and VIL boast 100% and 100% call setup success rate respectively, BSNL and RJIL lag behind with 64.25% and 99.64%. This dichotomy highlights the varying levels of investment and infrastructure in the region.
The Imperative of Sustained Investment
The findings of TRAI's drive test underscore the pressing need for sustained investment in 5G infrastructure. As India hurtles towards a digital future, the quality of network services will play a pivotal role in shaping the country's digital landscape. The report serves as a wake-up call for telcos to step up their game, ensuring that the country's citizens have access to world-class digital services.
Key statistics include:
- 346.9 km of City Drive Test
- 12 Hotspot locations
- 1.7 km of walk test
- Inter Operator Calling at 01 location
The Bottom Line
TRAI's drive test results in UP West serve as a critical benchmark for telcos to evaluate their performance. As India's digital future unfolds, the onus lies on telcos to bridge the performance gap and provide seamless 5G services to its citizens.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the key parameters assessed in TRAI's drive test?
The report evaluates voice services (call setup success rate, drop call rate, call setup time, call silence rate, speech quality, and coverage) and data services (download/upload throughput, latency, jitter, packet drop rate, and video streaming delay).
