Mobile telecommunication services have emerged as the key enabler of the country’s growth and it has become an intrinsic part of citizen’s daily life.

Department of Telecommunications (DoT) plays a vital role in laying down the standards of quality of service to be provided by the telecom service providers (TSPs) and ensuring that the quality of service is provided as per the norms. The field units of DoT have been entrusted with the task of conducting the periodical audit of the quality of mobile services provided by the TSPs and they conduct exhaustive mobile drive test in the select cities of the country.

During the “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” week celebrations of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) in Gujarat LSA, network teams of all the four TSPs i.e. Airtel, BSNL, Jio and Vodafone Idea, led by the officers of DoT Ahmedabad, conducted mobile drive test in the capital city of Gandhinagar on 14.10.2021.

The drive test route covered almost all the areas of heavy usage like office areas, commercial areas, business centres, major roads, hospitals, airport, railway stations, bus stands etc. The drive test was started from the Iscon Circle Ahmadabad via SG Highway to and then within Gandhinagar city, and ended at the Ahmedabad airport. The drive test covered route of approximately 125 KM; for 7 networks i.e. Airtel – 2G & 4G, BSNL – 2G & 3G, Jio 4G and Vodafone Idea 2G & 4G.

Before embarking on the drive test, a meeting was held with the Gujarat State Govt. officials to take their inputs on the areas having mobile coverage and quality related issues. Shri RK Chauhan, Sr. DDG, DoT Ahmedabad stated that based on the results of the drive test, necessary action will be ensured from the TSPs to take suitable corrective action at the locations where the mobile quality and coverage was not up to the benchmark.

In last 18 months, despite Covid-19 pandemic, Gujarat LSA DoT, has conducted a series of drive tests across Gujarat in Ahmedabad, Surat, Gandhinagar, Vadodara to Statue of Unity (road and rail route) and the area around the Statue of Unity.

SD/GP/JD

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