Yesterday, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released a comprehensive Independent Drive Test (IDT) report for four cities—New Delhi (Delhi LSA), Jaipur (Rajasthan LSA), Ahmednagar (Maharashtra LSA), and Hyderabad (Andhra Pradesh LSA)—conducted during September to October 2024. The objective of this drive test was to assess the quality of service (QoS) provided by cellular mobile operators for both voice and data services.
In this analysis, I will evaluate the report from a perspective different from TRAI’s approach. Specifically, I will focus on the extent of network coverage that the four key telecom operators have achieved in these cities across various technologies. This will be assessed based on the time spent by handsets on each network during the drive test, where devices were set to auto-selection mode. A stronger network affinity indicates greater dominance, offering critical insights into how much each operator has invested in deploying different technologies within these markets. This analysis will also map their network performance against the spectrum resources allocated to them.
Additionally, this study will explore practical constraints in how these spectrum resources are utilized and their efficiency in delivering services as claimed by the operators. We will also investigate why certain operators are underperforming in key metrics such as data upload and download speeds. This exploration will help uncover possible issues in their network architecture and how they have deployed their spectrum holdings across various technologies.
Delhi Network Analysis: 1. Voice Call Performance in 3G/2G network mode only
The drive test in Delhi was conducted between 17th September 2024 and 1st October 2024. The analysis of time spent on each operator’s network, with handsets set to 3G/2G mode, reveals significant insights into the network strategies of key operators. Notably, Reliance Jio (RJIL) is absent from this evaluation as it does not operate any 2G or 3G networks.
The results indicate that MTNL has virtually no active 2G network in Delhi. Vodafone Idea (VIL) predominantly operates on its 3G network, with only a few scattered pockets of 2G coverage. Airtel has completely dismantled its 3G network in the city and now relies exclusively on its 2G GSM network to serve its feature phone users. This raises critical questions about how these operators are utilizing their allocated spectrum bands.
For MTNL, the absence of a 2G network suggests that it has decommissioned its 900 MHz band, where it holds 6.2 MHz of spectrum (of which 5 MHz can be used for 3G). It is likely that MTNL has overlaid this with an additional 5 MHz from the 2100 MHz band to create a combined 10 MHz capacity for its 3G network. However, this strategy is flawed for feature phone users without carrier aggregation capabilities, as they are effectively limited to just 5 MHz for uploads and downloads. This likely explains MTNL’s poor data network performance in Delhi.
Vodafone Idea, on the other hand, holds 10 MHz in the 900 MHz band, 5 MHz in the 2100 MHz band, and 10 MHz in the 1800 MHz band. It is plausible that VIL is operating its 3G network by combining 5 MHz each from the 900 MHz and 2100 MHz bands, while its 2G services are deployed on the 1800 MHz band. This deployment strategy explains VIL’s weak 2G coverage in Delhi, as the 1800 MHz band is less effective for broader coverage due to its higher frequency and lower propagation capability.
Airtel holds 6 MHz in the 900 MHz band, 7 MHz in the 1800 MHz band, and 15 MHz in the 2100 MHz band. With no 3G network in place, it appears that Airtel has fully dedicated its 1800 MHz spectrum to support its 2G network, catering to feature phone users. Meanwhile, 900 MHz band and higher-frequency bands such as 2100 MHz and 2300 MHz are likely reserved for Airtel’s 4G services.
Delhi Network Analysis: 2. Technology Affinity and Network Utilization Analysis
This section of the analysis evaluates the percentage of time handsets spent on various network technologies (5G to 2G) when set to auto-selection mode. The resulting data provides a comprehensive overview of how efficiently each operator utilizes its spectrum holdings across technologies.The chart below provides us with a bird’s eye view.
Airtel: Dominance of 4G and Limited 5G Adoption
Airtel users overwhelmingly connect to the 4G network, with devices spending 92.53% of their time on 4G and only a negligible amount on 2G. This reinforces the assumption that Airtel has fully utilized its 6 MHz spectrum in the 900 MHz band for 4G deployment. As the lowest frequency band in its portfolio, the 900 MHz band offers superior propagation and power efficiency, making it easier for devices to latch onto the network.
Surprisingly, Airtel’s 5G network usage is just 7.05%, which can be attributed to its continued reliance on a Non-Standalone (NSA) 5G architecture. In NSA deployments, even 5G-capable handsets must first connect to a 4G base carrier to access 5G services. With only 5 MHz capacity in the 900 MHz band, network congestion could force users onto higher frequency bands, impacting signal strength. This explains why Airtel’s signal strength in the excellent category is just 34.43%, trailing behind RJIL (52.82%) and VIL (44.48%), both of which maintain stronger network quality.
Reliance Jio (RJIL): Aggressive 5G Deployment with SA Network
Reliance Jio’s network utilization shows 38.11% of time spent on 5G and 61.89% on 4G. This is somewhat surprising given Jio’s aggressive rollout of a Standalone (SA) 5G network in the 700 MHz band—a lower frequency band that generally offers better coverage than Jio’s 4G network, which primarily operates in the 800 MHz band.
However, Jio’s 5G network is currently confined to the 700 MHz and 3500 MHz bands, whereas its 4G services span multiple bands: 800 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 2300 MHz. The larger spectrum pool for 4G explains why Jio users still spend a significant portion of their time on 4G, despite the availability of 5G. This spectrum distribution offers users flexibility but suggests that Jio’s 5G network is still maturing in terms of reach and capacity.
Vodafone Idea (VIL): Focused 4G Deployment with Sparse Legacy Networks
Vodafone Idea users with 4G-enabled smartphones spend virtually no time on 2G or 3G, indicating that VIL has fully allocated its 900 MHz band for 4G services. Meanwhile, its 2G network is likely operating on the 1800 MHz band (10 MHz), which is less efficient for wide-area coverage.
This spectrum strategy explains why VIL’s signal strength is better than Airtel’s but still behind Jio. By focusing its most robust spectrum resources on 4G, VIL is prioritizing data services but may be neglecting legacy device users due to its weaker 2G network on higher frequencies.
MTNL: Lack of 4G Deployment and Spectrum Underutilization
MTNL appears to have no active 4G deployment in Delhi, relying solely on its 5 MHz in the 2100 MHz band for 3G. Its 900 MHz band also seems dedicated to 3G services, leaving no spectrum for legacy networks. During the testing period, MTNL’s allocation in the 700 MHz band was likely unused, which further explains its poor data download and upload speeds, especially for devices without carrier aggregation support.
This underutilization of valuable low-frequency spectrum severely limits MTNL’s ability to offer competitive data services in Delhi.
Explaining Higher Data Speeds for Airtel and RJIL
The comparatively better download and upload speeds for Airtel and RJIL can be directly linked to their strategic spectrum utilization. Airtel holds 15 MHz in the 2100 MHz band, which offers a balance between coverage and capacity. During network congestion, users can be seamlessly shifted to this band for better speeds.
Similarly, RJIL boasts extensive spectrum holdings across multiple bands: 10 MHz in 800 MHz, 20 MHz in 1800 MHz, and 40 MHz in 2300 MHz. This diverse spectrum portfolio ensures that users experience consistent and high-speed data performance, even when operating on 4G.
Hyderabad Network Analysis: 1. Voice Call Performance in 3G/2G Network Mode
The drive test in Hyderabad was conducted between 22nd and 25th October 2024. Similar to the analysis conducted for Delhi, this section evaluates the percentage of time handsets spent on each operator’s network while set to 3G/2G mode. The accompanying diagram provides a comprehensive overview of network distribution. As expected, Reliance Jio (RJIL) is absent from this analysis since it does not operate 2G or 3G networks.
Unlike Delhi, where Vodafone Idea (VIL) still maintained a limited 3G presence, in Hyderabad, VIL has completely phased out its 3G network. This strongly suggests that VIL has repurposed its 5 MHz spectrum in the 2100 MHz band for 4G deployment. This move aligns with VIL’s broader strategy to consolidate and strengthen its 4G network by reallocating legacy spectrum.
In contrast, BSNL continues to operate both 2G and 3G networks concurrently in Hyderabad. This indicates that BSNL’s 900 MHz band is fully dedicated to 2G services, while approximately 50% of its 10 MHz holding in the 2100 MHz band is still used for 3G services. This inefficient spectrum utilization suggests that BSNL’s 4G services are likely confined to either the 700 MHz band or a limited 5 MHz slice in the 2100 MHz band.
Such fragmented deployment of 4G services explains BSNL’s continued struggle to deliver consistent and high-speed data connectivity, especially in a competitive market like Hyderabad.
Hyderabad Network Analysis: 2. Technology Affinity and Network Utilization Analysis
This section analyzes the percentage of time handsets spent on various network technologies (5G to 2G) while set to auto-selection mode, offering insights into how efficiently each operator utilizes its spectrum holdings across technologies. The chart below provides a consolidated view of technology usage among operators.
Airtel: Predominant 4G Usage and Minimal 5G Presence
Despite Airtel’s claims of a Pan-India 5G rollout, the drive test results reveal that handsets remained connected to Airtel’s 4G network for 96.29% of the time in auto-selection mode. This strongly suggests that 5 MHz of Airtel’s 9 MHz spectrum in the 900 MHz band is dedicated to 4G services. Additionally, Airtel’s significant holding of 21.4 MHz in the 1800 MHz band likely supports its 4G network, possibly alongside 5 MHz in the 2100 MHz band.
This concentration of spectrum on 4G explains why Airtel’s 5G network usage was limited to just 3.71%. Airtel’s 5G services appear to be deployed solely in the 3500 MHz band, a higher frequency band with weaker propagation, resulting in limited device connection time. This underlines Airtel’s cautious or incomplete 5G rollout in Hyderabad.
BSNL: Absence of 4G Deployment
BSNL continues to show no evidence of active 4G deployment in Hyderabad. The distribution of time spent on its 2G and 3G networks remains unchanged from the earlier 2G/3G analysis. This suggests BSNL has not reallocated any spectrum for 4G and continues to rely on legacy technologies, significantly limiting its competitiveness in delivering high-speed mobile services.This also explains BSNL’s poor upload and download speeds
Vodafone Idea (VIL): Focused 4G Network with Minor Legacy Dependence
Vodafone Idea’s network utilization shows a strong preference for 4G connectivity, with only 1.13% of the time spent on 2G or 3G. This reflects VIL’s strategy of prioritizing 4G services, likely by dedicating its 7.4 MHz in the 900 MHz band to 4G. Its 2G services may have been shifted to the 1800 MHz band, which explains the negligible fallback to older technologies. The small percentage of time spent on non-4G networks could be attributed to network holes or capacity constraints in certain pockets.
Reliance Jio (RJIL): Aggressive 5G Adoption with Notable 4G Usage
Reliance Jio shows a strong 5G presence, with handsets connected to its 5G network 53.52% of the time. This high usage can be attributed to Jio’s deployment of 5G in the 700 MHz band, offering excellent propagation and indoor penetration. However, the remaining 46.44% of time spent on 4G raises questions. This could be due to capacity limitations in Jio’s 5G infrastructure or incomplete 5G coverage in certain areas, despite the extensive reach of the 700 MHz band. This dual reliance on 4G suggests that while Jio leads in 5G deployment, network densification and capacity scaling remain ongoing challenges.
Jaipur Network Analysis: 1. Voice Call Performance in 3G/2G network mode only
The drive test in Jaipur was conducted between 14th and 29th October 2024. Consistent with the analyses for Delhi and Hyderabad, this section examines the percentage of time handsets spent on each operator’s network while set to 3G/2G mode. The accompanying diagram offers a clear view of how each operator’s network is utilized. As expected, Reliance Jio (RJIL) is absent from this analysis since it operates exclusively on 4G and 5G networks and does not provide 2G or 3G services.
Airtel: Focused Spectrum Strategy for 4G Dominance
Airtel has completely phased out its 3G network in Jaipur. Given its substantial spectrum holdings—10 MHz in the 900 MHz band and 15 MHz in the 1800 MHz band—it is likely that Airtel has shifted its 2G services to the 1800 MHz band, freeing up the more efficient 900 MHz band for 4G deployment. This strategic move allows Airtel to maximize coverage and capacity for 4G while maintaining minimal legacy network support for basic voice services. The absence of Airtel’s 3G network in Jaipur mirrors its spectrum optimization efforts in other markets.
BSNL: Legacy Networks Hindering Performance
BSNL’s network strategy in Jaipur appears outdated and constrained by its limited spectrum resources. With only 5 MHz available in the 2100 MHz band, BSNL likely operates its 2G services on the 900 MHz band and its 3G network on the 2100 MHz band. Due to the superior propagation characteristics of the 900 MHz band, handsets naturally spend more time connected to BSNL’s 2G network, offering better coverage but at the cost of poor data performance. BSNL’s lack of spectrum flexibility limits its ability to deliver competitive mobile data services.
Vodafone Idea (VIL): Limited Spectrum, Limited Reach
Although the detailed analysis of Vodafone Idea’s spectrum deployment is not explicitly covered here, it is likely that VIL continues to struggle with optimal spectrum utilization in Jaipur. VIL may have partially reallocated its lower bands for 4G while maintaining some reliance on legacy networks in high-frequency bands, affecting overall performance.
Jaipur Network Analysis: 2. Technology Affinity and Network Utilization Analysis
This section evaluates the percentage of time handsets spent on various network technologies (5G to 2G) while set to auto-selection mode, providing insights into how efficiently each operator utilizes its spectrum resources across different technologies. The chart below offers a comprehensive view of technology usage patterns among the operators in Jaipur.
Airtel: Overwhelming Reliance on 4G and Minimal 5G Presence
Airtel users in Jaipur spent 96.36% of their time connected to the 4G network, reinforcing the strategy of reallocating 2G services to the 1800 MHz band and dedicating the 900 MHz band to 4G deployment. However, only 3.64% of the time was spent on 5G, indicating that Airtel’s 5G deployment is limited solely to the 3500 MHz band. This suggests that none of Airtel’s mid-band spectrum has been repurposed for 5G, making its rollout in Jaipur largely symbolic. Airtel continues to rely heavily on its robust 4G infrastructure to serve its customer base, reflecting a conservative approach toward expanding its 5G network in the region.
BSNL: Sparse and Ineffective 4G Deployment
BSNL demonstrates a limited 4G presence in Jaipur, with users spending just 3.92% of their time on the 4G network. Given BSNL’s restricted 5 MHz holding in the 2100 MHz band, it likely attempted to deploy 4G services in the 700 MHz band. However, the low utilization of BSNL’s 4G network indicates poor deployment and coverage, despite the favorable propagation characteristics of the 700 MHz band. This suggests that BSNL’s 4G network is both sparse and inefficient, leaving most users dependent on legacy 2G and 3G services for connectivity.
Reliance Jio (RJIL): Incomplete 5G Penetration and Heavy 4G Dependency
Reliance Jio (RJIL) users in Jaipur spent 82.34% of their time on 4G and only 17.65% on 5G. This is surprising considering Jio’s deployment of 10 MHz in the 700 MHz band for 5G, which typically offers excellent coverage due to its strong propagation characteristics. The continued reliance on 4G suggests that Jio’s 5G network is either not fully deployed or faces capacity constraints, preventing devices from consistently connecting to 5G. If Jio’s 5G footprint in Jaipur were comprehensive, devices in auto-selection mode would naturally prefer the superior coverage of the 700 MHz 5G network over 4G.
Vodafone Idea (VIL): Fully Optimized 4G Network
Vodafone Idea (VIL) exhibits a 100% reliance on 4G, with no recorded usage of 2G or 3G networks in Jaipur. This indicates that VIL has completely transitioned its 10 MHz holding in the 900 MHz band to 4G services, effectively abandoning legacy technologies. This full commitment to 4G demonstrates VIL’s strategic focus on providing a consistent and high-performing data network. The absence of fallback to older technologies underscores VIL’s well-optimized spectrum deployment and its focus on delivering a reliable customer experience in Jaipur.
Ahmednagar Network Analysis: 1. Voice Call Performance in 3G/2G network mode only
The drive test in Ahmednagar was conducted between 21st and 25th October 2024. Consistent with the analyses for Delhi, Hyderabad and Jaipur, this section examines the percentage of time handsets spent on each operator’s network while set to 3G/2G mode. The accompanying diagram offers a clear view of how each operator’s network is utilized. As expected, Reliance Jio (RJIL) is absent from this analysis since it operates exclusively on 4G and 5G networks and does not provide 2G or 3G services.
Airtel: Complete Dependence on 2G in the 1800 MHz Band
Airtel operates without any 3G network in Maharashtra and holds no spectrum in the 900 MHz band. As a result, all of Airtel’s 2G services in Ahmednagar are deployed on the 1800 MHz band. This spectrum allocation explains why Airtel’s feature phone users spent 100% of their time connected to the 2G network. The lack of a lower-frequency band like 900 MHz impacts Airtel’s coverage quality, as the 1800 MHz band has inferior propagation characteristics, particularly for indoor and rural coverage.
BSNL: Split Spectrum Usage Between 2G, 3G, and 4G
BSNL holds 10 MHz in the 2100 MHz band, which is likely split between 3G and 4G services. It is plausible that 5 MHz is still allocated to 3G, while the remaining 5 MHz supports 4G deployment. Additionally, BSNL’s 6.2 MHz in the 900 MHz band is almost certainly fully dedicated to its GSM (2G) services. This split spectrum strategy limits BSNL’s ability to provide robust 4G coverage and contributes to inconsistent service quality.
Vodafone Idea (VIL): Aggressive 4G Expansion with Complete 3G Shutdown
Vodafone Idea (VIL) holds a substantial 14 MHz in the 900 MHz band in Maharashtra, suggesting that a portion of this band is still allocated for 2G services. VIL also has 12.4 MHz in the 1800 MHz band, which likely supports its 4G network. Notably, users spent 0% of their time on 3G, indicating that VIL has completely dismantled its 3G network in Ahmednagar. This is particularly significant given that VIL previously held a significant 15 MHz of spectrum for 3G, which now appears to have been fully refarmed for 4G services. This aggressive shift toward 4G-only operations reflects VIL’s strategy to strengthen its data services and modernize its network.
Ahmednagar Network Analysis: 2. Technology Affinity and Network Utilization Analysis
This section evaluates the percentage of time handsets spent on various network technologies (5G to 2G) while set to auto-selection mode, providing insights into how efficiently each operator utilizes its spectrum resources across different technologies. The chart below offers a comprehensive view of technology usage patterns among the operators in Ahmednagar.
Airtel: Heavy Dependence on 4G and Poor Indoor Coverage
In Ahmednagar, 90.2% of Airtel users remained connected to the 4G network, indicating that Airtel has dedicated all available spectrum below 3500 MHz exclusively to 4G services. This includes its 10 MHz holding in the 2100 MHz band. Airtel’s 5G deployment is likely limited to the 3500 MHz band, with no evident refarming of mid-band or lower bands for 5G.
Notably, Airtel lacks any spectrum in the 900 MHz band, which severely impacts its indoor coverage and building penetration. Even if Airtel deploys 5G in the 1800 MHz band in the future, the absence of a sub-GHz spectrum will continue to hinder its ability to provide robust in-building coverage.
BSNL: Improved 4G Coverage but Poor Network Quality
BSNL shows better 4G coverage in Ahmednagar, with users spending 58.02% of their time on the 4G network and 31.77% on 3G. This suggests that BSNL has likely deployed 4G services using both the 700 MHz band and 5 MHz of its 2100 MHz spectrum. The remaining portion of the 2100 MHz band is probably still allocated to 3G services.
However, despite this expanded 4G presence, BSNL’s data performance remains poor, with average download and upload speeds of just 1.75 Mbps and 1.45 Mbps, respectively. This indicates that BSNL’s 4G deployment is either sparsely distributed or poorly optimized, failing to deliver consistent, high-speed data services.
Reliance Jio (RJIL): Strong 4G Dominance with Limited 5G Reach
Reliance Jio (RJIL) continues to show a strong dependence on its 4G network, with devices spending 83.25% of the time on 4G and only 16.75% on 5G. This is unexpected given Jio’s 10 MHz allocation in the 700 MHz band for 5G, which should ideally offer superior coverage.
The data suggests that Jio’s 700 MHz 5G network in Ahmednagar does not provide comprehensive coverage or lacks the same level of densification as its 4G deployment in the 800 MHz band. A fully optimized 700 MHz 5G deployment would naturally result in a higher proportion of time spent on 5G, especially in auto-selection mode.
Vodafone Idea (VIL): Fully Optimized 4G Network
Vodafone Idea (VIL) demonstrates 100% network utilization on its 4G network, with no recorded usage of 2G or 3G. This aligns with the earlier analysis of VIL’s complete shutdown of its 3G network in Ahmednagar. VIL’s substantial spectrum holding—14 MHz in the 900 MHz band and 12.4 MHz in the 1800 MHz band—appears fully dedicated to strengthening its 4G network, ensuring consistent and reliable performance across the region.
Conclusion
The detailed drive test analysis across Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur, and Ahmednagar reveals a consistent pattern: Indian telecom operators remain heavily reliant on their 4G networks despite widespread claims of extensive 5G deployment. This trend is evident across all major players, including Reliance Jio (RJIL), Airtel, Vodafone Idea (VIL), and BSNL.
Reliance Jio (RJIL), despite its aggressive marketing of a Standalone (SA) 5G network and access to the 700 MHz band with superior propagation characteristics, still shows significant dependency on 4G. In every city analyzed, Jio users spent a majority of their time on 4G, indicating that Jio’s 5G network is not yet deployed densely enough to deliver seamless connectivity. This raises concerns about the true scale of Jio’s 5G coverage and suggests that the rollout may be more superficial than substantial.
Airtel has completely abandoned its 3G network but remains heavily dependent on GSM (2G) for serving feature phone users. Its 5G deployment is limited exclusively to the 3500 MHz band, with no evidence of spectrum refarming from lower bands to support 5G expansion. This fragmented deployment strategy highlights Airtel’s hesitant approach to embracing Standalone (SA) 5G and underscores its continued reliance on a well-established 4G infrastructure.
BSNL stands out as the most underprepared operator for modern network demands. Its 4G deployment is both fragmented and sparse, with inefficient spectrum utilization. BSNL continues to split its limited 2100 MHz band between 3G and 4G, resulting in poor data speeds and weak service quality. Its inability to fully phase out 3G or optimize its 700 MHz spectrum means that BSNL will remain reliant on 4G for the foreseeable future, with little progress toward meaningful 5G deployment.
Vodafone Idea (VIL), on the other hand, has aggressively consolidated its operations around 4G, completely dismantling its 3G network and fully utilizing its 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands for 4G services. This strategic focus has allowed VIL to provide consistent coverage and reliable performance, but the absence of any visible 5G strategy raises concerns about its preparedness for future network demands.
In conclusion, the drive test results expose the stark gap between the hype of 5G rollouts and the reality of network deployment. All major operators are still deeply entrenched in 4G, with incomplete, inconsistent, and underwhelming 5G deployments. Jio, despite its head start with Standalone 5G, faces network densification challenges, while Airtel and BSNL struggle with spectrum utilization and coverage issues. Vodafone Idea shows strength in 4G optimization but lacks visible momentum in 5G readiness. This widespread dependency on 4G underscores that India’s journey toward a true 5G ecosystem is still in its early and fragmented stages.
