The Department of Posts and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) have joined hands to conduct a nationwide app-based survey to evaluate the mobile network performance of major Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) like Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, Vodafone Idea, and BSNL across more than 5.68 lakh villages in India. This initiative aims to enhance rural telecom services and bolster Digital India.
As per the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Department of Posts and TRAI, the former will execute field survey operations using its extensive postal network, while the latter will offer the survey application, technical assistance, training, and centralized monitoring. This one-year collaboration is anticipated to enhance telecom service quality, bridge digital connectivity disparities, and advance the vision of a digitally empowered and inclusive India.
Utilizing the Department of Posts’ vast network of over 1.40 lakh rural Branch Post Offices, the survey will be conducted by Gramin Dak Sevaks during their regular delivery duties using a specially designed Android-based mobile application provided by TRAI. Encompassing villages in all states and Union Territories, this endeavor will yield on-ground data on mobile network performance to pinpoint connectivity deficiencies, enhance telecom infrastructure, and facilitate evidence-based policy decisions for reinforcing digital connectivity in rural India.
The MoU was officially signed by Manisha Bansal Badal, General Manager of Citizen Centric Services & Rural Business at the Department of Posts, and S.M.K. Chandra, Joint Advisor of Broadband & Policy Analysis at TRAI, in the presence of senior officials from both entities. Badal emphasized the Department of Posts’ commitment to Digital India through collaborations like this, leveraging its extensive reach and trusted presence nationwide to enhance digital infrastructure and telecom services for rural citizens.
Arun Agarwal, Pr. Advisor (NSL) at TRAI, highlighted that this partnership with the Department of Posts will significantly boost TRAI’s ability to evaluate telecom network performance at the grassroots level. The Department’s widespread field network will facilitate the systematic collection of reliable network performance data, aiding in making informed regulatory decisions and enhancing the quality of telecom services for consumers.
