As part of the assessment, TRAI teams covered a total distance of 401.2 kilometres across Chitradurga city and its surrounding areas. This included 393.2 kilometres of drive testing through city and highway routes, 13 identified hotspots, and an 8-kilometre walk test conducted in densely populated pedestrian zones.
The tests were designed to capture the mobile service experience of users in diverse scenarios, ranging from moving vehicles to stationary and high-footfall environments.
Technologies and Parameters Evaluated
The Independent Drive Test evaluated network performance across 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G technologies, reflecting the experience of users with different handset capabilities. Both voice and data services were assessed using TRAI-calibrated equipment and standardised testing protocols.
Key voice service parameters included Call Setup Success Rate (CSSR), Drop Call Rate (DCR), Call Setup Time, Call Silence Rate, Mean Opinion Score (MOS) for speech quality, and overall coverage. Data service parameters included download and upload throughput, latency, jitter, packet drop rate, and video streaming delay.
Call Performance: Operator-Wise Results
The results indicate variation in call performance among telecom operators operating in Chitradurga. In auto-selection mode across all available technologies, Airtel recorded a Call Setup Success Rate of 97.90 percent, followed by Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited (RJIL) at 96.77 percent.
BSNL and Vodafone Idea Limited (VIL) reported CSSR figures of 79.86 percent and 76.10 percent respectively. In terms of call drops, Airtel registered a Drop Call Rate of 0.39 percent, RJIL 0.98 percent, VIL 2.08 percent, while BSNL recorded a higher drop call rate of 3.63 percent.
Testing in High-Density and Institutional Areas
The assessment covered a wide range of residential and semi-urban localities within Chitradurga district, including Adarsha Nagar, Seebara, Vijapur, Obavanagathihalli, Hunasekatte, Malappanahatty, Shivaganga, Holalkere, Hiriyur, Hosadurga, Challakere, and several surrounding villages.
In addition, TRAI conducted stationary tests at key public locations such as bus stands, government offices, district hospitals, educational institutions, and religious landmarks to capture real-world network performance under typical usage conditions.
Walk Tests Capture Crowded User Experience
Walk tests were conducted between 3 December and 5 December 2025 at prominent public locations including APMC Market, Chandravalli Kere Park, Chitradurga Fort, and Chitradurga Railway Station. These tests aimed to evaluate network behaviour in crowded pedestrian environments where network congestion is common.
The findings provide insights into signal consistency, call stability, and data performance experienced by users on foot in busy public spaces.
Findings Shared with Telecom Operators
According to TRAI, the findings of the Independent Drive Test have been formally communicated to all concerned telecom service providers for necessary action. The regulator expects operators to analyse the results and take steps to address identified gaps in service quality.
The detailed IDT report is available on the official TRAI website, offering transparency and enabling consumers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to review network performance data.
Ensuring Accountability and Better User Experience
Independent Drive Tests form a key part of TRAI’s ongoing efforts to ensure quality of service and accountability among telecom operators. By capturing real-time network performance in live environments, the regulator aims to align service delivery with consumer expectations.
For clarifications related to the report, TRAI has designated the Regional Office, Bengaluru, as the point of contact, reinforcing its commitment to transparent communication and consumer-centric regulation.