Over 17,000 sites still have more than 3% call drop rate

Idea, Vodafone, Tata Tele (GSM), Airtel have maximum number of sites where call drop rate exceeded 3%

According to the weekly data submitted by operators, at the end of August 30 there were 18.86 lakh base tower stations or sites in India, out of which 35,654 were identified as those where the call drop rate was more than 3 per cent.

The operators, though, have improved the performance of 15,549 sites, while 17,201 stations still need to be improved. There are also 2,904 sites where the call volume was very low.

Sectoral regulator Trai measures call drops using two parameters -- less than or equal to 2 per cent call drops and worst affected cells having more than 3 per cent traffic channel (TCH) drop.

Idea Cellular, Vodafone, Tata Teleservices (GSM) and Bharti Airtel have the maximum number of sites where the call drop rate was more than 3 per cent.

According to sources, Telecom Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad undertook a meeting on August 26, wherein it was decided that efforts that are being carried out to address the concerns, should continue.

Telecom Secretary Rakesh Garg has already spoken to the owners of telecom firms including Sunil Mittal of Bharti Airtel, Anil Ambani of Reliance Communications, and Kumar Mangalam Birla of Idea Cellular, besides the Director of Vodafone Group in London.

Call drops have become a severe problem in recent months and concerns have also been raised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in this regard.

TRAI will issue final recommendations by mid-October on compensation to be paid by mobile operators to their customers for call drops.

The telecom watchdog has already floated a draft paper on the issue and is reviewing the quality of services being offered by various operators.