Jio leads two TRAI download checks; 5G drone trials disclose limits

Daniel Okafor

Reliance Jio recorded an average download throughput of 267.13 Mbps in Leh during TRAI's August mobile-network measurements. TRAI also found weak signals and dropped calls along mountain routes, so the city result did not describe the full journey. Two separate 5G integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) trials in Texas and Helsinki tested a different capability: detecting and tracking drones over connected infrastructure.

What do the 5G drone trials establish?

AT&T and network vendor Ericsson tracked multiple drones flying 300 to 400 feet above Arlington, Texas, during a 5G integrated sensing and communication demonstration outside AT&T Stadium. The system used existing cellular infrastructure and Ericsson Massive MIMO radios deployed across multiple network sites. It combined synchronized radio sensing, advanced signal processing and AI-based algorithms. The platform detected, located and continuously tracked the drones, generating real-time information about location, velocity and elevation. AT&T and Ericsson believe existing 5G infrastructure could eventually support distributed sensing applications associated with future 6G networks. That statement links the demonstration to a future roadmap rather than a service launch. Neither company disclosed commercial deployment dates, detection range, spectrum bandwidth or investment costs. For network planners, the announcement supports technical feasibility, not a commercial rollout schedule.

Can Erillisverkot extend sensing around critical sites?

On October 30, Ericsson and Erillisverkot, a Finnish public-safety communications operator, announced the results of a Helsinki integrated sensing and communication demonstration. Tests ran from September 16 through 18, including a live demonstration at Vuosaari Harbor. Multiple 5G network locations collected sensing information simultaneously to detect, locate and track drone movements. The architecture combined Massive MIMO radio technology, beam steering, edge computing and specialized signal-processing software. The partners are evaluating how mobile infrastructure could complement existing surveillance systems around ports, airports and other critical locations. The trial builds on their collaboration involving Finland's Virve 2.0 public-safety network. The companies disclosed no detection accuracy, operating range or commercial deployment commitment for Helsinki. The Finnish work remains an evaluation rather than an announced service.

What did TRAI measure across Andhra Pradesh?

TRAI's October 30 report set out independent drive-test results for Adoni, Mantralayam and surrounding areas of Andhra Pradesh. Tests covered approximately 201.8 kilometers on September 17 and 18, including six hotspot locations.

• Downloads: Reliance Jio averaged 209.11 Mbps, ahead of Bharti Airtel at 118.55 Mbps, Vodafone Idea at 12.27 Mbps and BSNL at 10.19 Mbps.
• Jio's measured advantage over Airtel was 90.56 Mbps on average download throughput.
• Uploads: Airtel led at 18.73 Mbps, followed by Jio at 14.20 Mbps, BSNL at 6.05 Mbps and Vodafone Idea at 5.37 Mbps.
• Dropped calls: Airtel and Jio each recorded zero in their respective samples, while BSNL recorded 15 and Vodafone Idea recorded six.

The dropped-call counts show why average speed alone does not describe service quality across the measured routes.

Does high throughput hold on mountain routes?

TRAI published independent mobile-network measurements for Leh, Nubra Valley and Pangong on October 30. August testing covered 62.6 kilometers of city routes and 396.3 kilometers of highways. In Leh and nearby areas, Jio averaged 267.13 Mbps for downloads, compared with Airtel at 121.65 Mbps and BSNL at 8 Mbps. Airtel's 22.13 Mbps average upload narrowly exceeded Jio's 21.20 Mbps. On the Nubra Valley-to-Pangong routes, Airtel averaged 80.59 Mbps, Jio 44.48 Mbps and BSNL 8.86 Mbps for downloads. TRAI also identified substantial weak-signal samples and dropped calls along mountain routes. Jio therefore led the reported city download average, but Airtel led on the remote highway routes. The reversal shows why one operator's strong city result does not guarantee equivalent service across geographically demanding terrain.

Neither drone trial supplied a commercial deployment date or operating range, and the Texas announcement also withheld spectrum bandwidth and investment costs. For operators, the next measurable milestones are clearer sensing rollout terms and sustained highway reliability, because TRAI still found weak signals and dropped calls on mountain routes.