TRAI Drive Test Reveals Jio, Airtel Lead in 5G Speed in Hisar, June 2025

In a continued effort to ensure transparency and consumer awareness regarding mobile network performance, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) conducted a detailed Independent Drive Test (IDT) in Hisar city, Haryana, from 11th to 13th June 2025. The tests were carried out under the supervision of the TRAI Regional Office, Jaipur, with the aim of assessing the real-world performance of telecom networks across urban environments, public hotspots, and high-traffic zones.

The drive test covered an extensive 243.4 kilometers of city roads and included a 1.1-kilometer walk test, reflecting conditions encountered by users during daily commuting and stationary activities.

Objectives and Methodology

The drive tests were designed to simulate real mobile usage scenarios and were conducted using live SIM cards from all major telecom operators (Airtel, BSNL, Reliance Jio, and Vodafone Idea). The network technologies tested included 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G, providing a holistic view of connectivity across user segments with varying handset capabilities.

State-of-the-art test handsets and software-based analytics systems were deployed to monitor and record key performance indicators (KPIs) in real-time. Experts further analyzed the collected data using specialized post-processing tools to generate actionable insights.

Key Parameters Assessed

The IDT focused on both voice and data services, evaluating the networks based on the following KPIs:

Voice Services

• Call Setup Success Rate

• Call Drop Rate (DCR)

• Speech Quality (MOS – Mean Opinion Score)

• Call Silence Rate

• Voice Packet Drop Rate (Uplink and Downlink)

• Network Coverage and Signal Strength

Data Services

• Download and Upload Throughput

• Latency and Jitter

• Packet Drop Rate (Uplink and Downlink)

• Video Streaming Delay

Data Performance Summary: Hisar City

The test results revealed significant variation in performance among the operators, especially in 5G and 4G data services.

Overall Average Download Speeds (All Areas)

• Reliance Jio (5G/4G): 225.33 Mbps

• Airtel (5G/4G): 192.18 Mbps

• Vodafone Idea (4G/2G): 19.76 Mbps

• BSNL (4G/3G/2G): 2.72 Mbps

Overall Average Upload Speeds (All Areas)

• Airtel: 29.04 Mbps

• Reliance Jio: 19.86 Mbps

• Vodafone Idea: 14.14 Mbps

• BSNL: 2.95 Mbps

These figures reflect that Jio and Airtel dominate in both download and upload speeds, especially in 5G-enabled zones, while BSNL lags significantly, particularly in download speeds.

Hotspot Data Performance

In high-footfall hotspot areas like public transport hubs, markets, and government centers, the results showed further insights:

Airtel

• 4G Download: 14.43 Mbps

• 4G Upload: 10.39 Mbps

• 5G Download: 212.68 Mbps

• 5G Upload: 51.22 Mbps

BSNL

• 4G Download: 5.36 Mbps

• 4G Upload: 12.19 Mbps

Reliance Jio

• 4G Download: 35.91 Mbps

• 4G Upload: 7.26 Mbps

• 5G Download: 165.70 Mbps

• 5G Upload: 21.92 Mbps

Vodafone Idea

• 4G Download: 20.15 Mbps

• 4G Upload: 16.79 Mbps

While Jio delivered the highest overall download speeds, Airtel outperformed in hotspot upload speeds, particularly with its 5G network. Vodafone Idea showed moderate performance in 4G areas, whereas BSNL's speed remained limited, highlighting the need for further infrastructure improvement.

Post-Test Engagement and Regulatory Oversight

The full test report, including detailed analysis and city-route performance maps, has been shared with respective Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) to review and take necessary improvements. This aligns with TRAI’s ongoing mission to enhance user experience, enforce minimum quality standards, and foster competitive service delivery.

The TRAI report is publicly accessible at www.trai.gov.in. For further information or clarification, citizens and stakeholders can contact the Regional Office of TRAI, Jaipur via email at adv.jaipur@trai.gov.in or telephone at +91-141-2701919.

Implications for Consumers and Industry

As mobile data consumption continues to surge and India transitions into 5G-driven digital services, such detailed drive tests are essential in guiding consumers’ network choices and holding service providers accountable for performance delivery. They also inform infrastructure planning, spectrum allocation, and QoS regulation by TRAI.

In Hisar, the data points to Jio and Airtel as the leading service providers for high-speed connectivity, particularly in the 5G segment, whereas BSNL’s limited performance underscores the urgency for state-supported modernization.