Most telcos failed random call drop tests, finds TRAI

Most of the telecom operators, including state-run MTNL, failed random drive tests conducted by the regulator TRAI to check quality of their network and services as part of its efforts to rein in call drop menace. As per the test report released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Thursday, none of telecom operators showed improvement in call drops in Mumbai, Pune and Bhubaneswar. The regulator conducted drive tests during December-January period. As per TRAI benchmark, not more than 2 percent calls on a telecom operator’s network should get automatically disconnected. The regulator conducted tests on both 2G and 3G networks of companies. State-run MTNL was the worst performer in Mumbai and Delhi, where it operates. MTNL 3G network reported call drop at 15.58 percent level in Mumbai and 23.65 percent in Delhi. For Pune, call drop on Tata’s 3G network was as high as 42.93 percent followed by that of Idea Cellular with 20.96 percent. The 2G network of Idea Cellular in Pune was also worst performer in its category with 18.97 percent call drop. In Bhubaneswar, where all operators failed tests, maximum call drop was witnessed on Aircel’s 3G network and on RCom’s 2G CDMA network. In Delhi, Airtel’s both 2G and 3G network and 3G networks of Idea and Vodafone were compliant to call drop benchmark. Similarly, in Kolkata only CDMA network of MTS, Tata Teleservices and Reliance Communications (RCom) were compliant to call drop benchmark while other operators failed to meet the benchmark. Even GSM network RCom and Tata failed the test. The highest call drop of 8.86 percent was noticed on BSNL’s 3G network followed by 8.58 percent on Vodafone’s 2G network in New Delhi. Similarly only CDMA network of Tata Teleservices was compliant in Surat to call drop set standard while other failed. Maximum call drop in this city were noticed on Idea’s 3G network. In Indore, 2G network of Airtel, Vodafone, RCom CDMA and Tata CDMA complied with call drop norms while other failed. In New Delhi maximum call drops were witnessed on BSNL’s network in 3G category and Idea Cellular’s 2G network. PTI