TRAI Assesses Mobile Network Quality Across Leh and Ladakh Highways; Jio Leads in 5G Speed, Airtel Tops Voice Quality.
New Delhi/Leh:
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released its Independent Drive Test (IDT) findings for the Jammu & Kashmir Licensed Service Area (LSA), specifically focusing on Leh City and the strategic highway corridors from Leh to Nubra Valley, Nubra to Pangong, and Pangong to Leh. Conducted between June 10 and 12, 2025, the test evaluated mobile network performance across urban zones, institutional hotspots, high-speed transit corridors, and pedestrian markets in one of India’s most remote and challenging terrains.
The assessment, supervised by the TRAI Regional Office, Delhi, included 41.3 km of city driving, 302 km of highway driving, five hotspot locations, and a 2 km walk test. The evaluation spanned 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G technologies, covering the performance of Airtel, BSNL, and Reliance Jio (RJIL).
Voice Service Performance
Key parameters such as Call Setup Success Rate (CSSR), Call Setup Time, Drop Call Rate (DCR), Call Silence Rate, and Mean Opinion Score (MOS) were analyzed.
| Operator | CSSR (%) | CST (sec) | DCR (%) | Silence Rate (%) | MOS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airtel | 57.11 | 1.90 | 9.70 | 6.82 | 3.81 |
| BSNL | 47.03 | 4.36 | 4.67 | 4.97 | 2.53 |
| RJIL (Jio) | 49.78 | 1.56 | 7.17 | 14.18 | 3.56 |
- Airtel led in overall voice quality (MOS 3.81).
- BSNL had the lowest call drop rate, but lagged in call clarity.
- Jio achieved the fastest call setup time but experienced a high rate of mute/silent calls.
The IDT also evaluated mobile internet performance, including download/upload speeds, latency, and video streaming readiness.
Overall Data Speeds:
| Operator | Download Speed (Mbps) | Upload Speed (Mbps) | Latency (ms) |
|---|---|---|---|
| RJIL (Jio) | 144.09 | 13.99 | 15.40 |
| Airtel | 95.39 | 16.59 | 23.30 |
| BSNL | 2.62 | 4.06 | 37.65 |
Hotspot Performance:
| Operator | 4G D/L | 4G U/L | 5G D/L | 5G U/L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airtel | 37.08 | 13.29 | 152.00 | 26.45 |
| BSNL | 2.29 | 6.55 | N/A | N/A |
| RJIL (Jio) | 15.53 | 4.08 | 275.60 | 32.73 |
- Jio’s 5G speeds stood out with 275.60 Mbps download and 32.73 Mbps upload.
- Airtel maintained consistent 4G/5G balance, with a strong showing in upload speeds.
- BSNL’s data performance was significantly lower across all metrics.
Geographic Coverage Highlights
- Leh Urban Zones: Test covered Choglamsar, Spituk, Yurtung, and major landmarks like EJM College, Lamdon School, SNM Hospital, Leh Airport, and Shanti Stupa.
- Leh Market Walk Test: Focused on real-time performance in high-footfall pedestrian environments.
- Highway Corridors Tested:
- Leh to Nubra Valley: Via North Pullu, Khardung, Khalsar, Hunder
- Nubra to Pangong: Via Shyok, Durbuk, Tangtse, Spangmik, Man, Merak
- Pangong to Leh: Via Tsoltak, Zingral, Karu, Thiksey, Shey
These routes simulate real-world conditions for both tourists and locals travelling through high-altitude, low-connectivity areas.
Notable Absence
- Vodafone Idea (VIL) had no operational network across the entire test route during the study period.
Conclusion and Access to Report
The assessment underscores the challenges of delivering consistent mobile connectivity in the Himalayan region and highlights the growing role of 5G in addressing those gaps.
