Summary:
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) drive test conducted in February 2026 across Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and the Vadodara–Ahmedabad highway found that private operators, especially Reliance Jio and Airtel, lead in overall mobile network quality. Jio stood out with the fastest call setup times, best voice quality, lowest latency, and highest 5G speeds, while Airtel performed strongly in 4G. Vodafone Idea delivered consistent mid-level performance, whereas BSNL lagged in both voice and data services. The findings, based on extensive real-world testing across urban areas, hotspots, and highways, highlight clear differences in speed, reliability, and user experience among providers.
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has published the results of its latest drive test, presenting a detailed evaluation of mobile network performance across Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and the Vadodara–Ahmedabad highway corridor in Gujarat. Conducted in February 2026, the study offers a real-world snapshot of both voice and data services provided by major telecom operators.
TRAI structured the drive test to mirror actual user conditions by initiating live voice calls and data sessions using SIM cards from multiple service providers. The assessment spanned a variety of settings, including urban areas, densely populated hotspots, and key transport routes.
The exercise covered 462.4 km of city driving, 14 hotspot locations, a 2.5 km walk test, and a 95.3 km highway stretch. Using advanced smartphones and analytical tools, performance was measured across 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G networks, with data processed both in real time and through specialized software.
In Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar, the findings show strong voice service performance from private operators. Airtel and Reliance Jio recorded nearly 100 percent call setup success rates, with Vodafone Idea also achieving a high level of success. In comparison, BSNL trailed behind.
Call drop rates were minimal for Airtel, Jio, and Vodafone Idea, whereas BSNL showed higher occurrences. Jio delivered the fastest call setup time at 0.50 seconds, followed by Vodafone Idea and Airtel, while BSNL recorded slower speeds. Voice quality, assessed using the Mean Opinion Score, was highest for Jio and Vodafone Idea, highlighting their strong urban performance.
Data service analysis further highlights performance differences among providers. Reliance Jio led in 5G speeds with an average download rate of 258.16 Mbps, well ahead of Airtel at 121.09 Mbps and Vodafone Idea at 55.09 Mbps.
For 4G services, Airtel achieved the highest download speed at 47.24 Mbps, closely followed by Jio at 41.81 Mbps, while Vodafone Idea and BSNL lagged behind. In terms of latency, Jio recorded the lowest delay at 19.72 ms, indicating better responsiveness for applications such as video calls and online gaming.
Along the Vadodara–Ahmedabad highway, consistent network quality is essential for users in transit. Airtel, Jio, and Vodafone Idea each achieved a 100 percent call setup success rate, demonstrating strong reliability on the move. BSNL, however, recorded a lower success rate of 89.80 percent and a significantly higher call drop rate of 22.73 percent.
Call setup time on the highway was again quickest on Jio, followed by Vodafone Idea and Airtel, with BSNL continuing to lag. Voice quality scores were highest for Jio, while Vodafone Idea and Airtel also maintained stable performance.
Data performance on the highway followed a similar pattern. Reliance Jio led with an average download speed of 191.73 Mbps, followed by Airtel at 97.38 Mbps. Vodafone Idea delivered moderate speeds, while BSNL recorded much lower performance at 5.68 Mbps. Jio also maintained the lowest latency, reinforcing its leading position in overall network quality across both urban and highway settings.
The drive tests covered a wide geographic range, including key parts of Gandhinagar, Kudasan, Adalaj, Hansol, Naroda, Bapunagar, and Maninagar, as well as National Expressway 1 connecting Vadodara and Ahmedabad through major towns like Nadiad and Anand. This broad coverage ensures that the findings reflect real user experiences across both densely populated city areas and high-speed travel corridors.
Overall, the TRAI report indicates that private telecom operators—particularly Reliance Jio and Airtel—are ahead in terms of speed, reliability, and overall user experience. Vodafone Idea maintains a steady mid-level performance, while BSNL continues to face difficulties in both voice and data services. As mobile connectivity becomes increasingly vital for digital services, these findings offer valuable insights for users and underline the need for ongoing improvements in network infrastructure and service quality.
