Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released the results of its drive test conducted across Lunglei, Lawngtlai and Siaha districts in Mizoram during May 20-23, 2026, revealing significant differences in mobile network performance among Airtel, Reliance Jio, BSNL and Vodafone Idea (Vi).
The drive test covered 342.4 km of city routes, 11 hotspot locations, and 1.3 km of walk tests across key urban and adjoining areas in Mizoram under the North East Licensed Service Area (LSA). The assessment evaluated network coverage, dropped calls, voice quality, and mobile data speeds.
Reliance Jio delivered the strongest overall mobile broadband performance, recording the highest average download speed of 69.89 Mbps on its 5G/4G network. Airtel followed with 59.88 Mbps, while Vodafone Idea achieved 16.05 Mbps across its 5G/4G/2G network. BSNL recorded the lowest average download speed at 5.46 Mbps on its 4G/2G network.
In upload performance, Airtel emerged as the leader with an average upload speed of 11.83 Mbps, significantly ahead of Reliance Jio’s 5.22 Mbps, Vodafone Idea’s 3.43 Mbps, and BSNL’s 2.10 Mbps.
Coverage remained a challenge for all operators in several parts of Mizoram. Airtel recorded poor signal strength in 11,270 out of 46,398 samples collected during city drive tests. Reliance Jio reported 11,790 poor signal samples out of 47,107, while BSNL registered 17,449 out of 32,964 and Vodafone Idea 14,928 out of 26,469, indicating comparatively larger coverage gaps.
Voice call reliability also varied among operators. Reliance Jio delivered the lowest dropped call rate with only 7 dropped calls out of 344 successfully established calls. Airtel reported 21 dropped calls out of 334, while BSNL recorded 50 out of 222 and Vodafone Idea 46 out of 207, highlighting room for improvement in voice network stability.
For call quality, Vodafone Idea recorded the fewest call silence incidents, with 4 instances out of 121 established calls where silence exceeded three seconds. BSNL reported 7 out of 151, Reliance Jio 34 out of 331, and Airtel 45 out of 310.
TRAI’s drive tests covered major locations including Buangpui, Lunglei, Lawngtlai, Siaha, Thingfal, Saikah, Kawlchaw East, Zero Point, Chawntlangpui, Ngengpuitlang, Lawnglang, Lawngtlaikai and Zochachhuah. Stationary testing was conducted at 11 hotspot locations, including district hospitals, government colleges, district courts, post offices and Border Roads Organisation facilities, while walk tests were carried out at Civil Hospital, Lunglei, and Government Lawngtlai College to assess mobile network performance in high-footfall pedestrian environments.
The latest TRAI findings indicate that Reliance Jio currently leads mobile network performance in southern Mizoram through superior download speeds and the lowest dropped call rate, while Airtel offers the fastest upload performance. BSNL and Vodafone Idea continue to face challenges in coverage, voice quality and mobile broadband speeds across the tested regions.
SHAFANA FAZAL
