Telecom operators push for AI network monitoring to replace manual drive tests

Telecom companies are asking the government to update how mobile network quality is measured, suggesting that artificial intelligence and network analytics can replace traditional manual drive tests. The proposal came up during a meeting between communications minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and telecom executives at the India Mobile Congress on October 8. Scindia suggested forming a joint committee to review and simplify service-quality monitoring, and asked telcos and officials to prepare a white paper on the issue.

Current Methods

Drive tests involve measuring mobile network performance like call quality, signal strength, call drop rate, and internet speeds while traveling across different locations. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) has engaged Mumbai-based consultancy firm RedMango Analytics to undertake assessments through Independent Drive Tests. These tests use advanced test handsets across cities, hotspots, and public transport hubs, monitored in real time using software systems. A government official said drive tests capture real-time conditions that predictive tools cannot measure, noting that actual signal quality is affected by variables like building density, vegetation, and physical obstacles.

Proposed Changes

Telecom operators want network data, virtual drive tests, and customer complaints used alongside or instead of manual testing methods. An industry source said advanced analytics enabled by AI can easily corroborate quality parameters without needing physical drive tests. Independent telecom analyst Parag Kar suggested that Trai should complement tests with a simple app where consumers can report dropped calls and poor coverage where they occur. Meanwhile, Trai imposes financial disincentives when operators fail to meet quality benchmarks under its 2024 regulations, with fines reaching up to ₹1 lakh for a first violation, ₹2 lakh for a second, and ₹3 lakh for subsequent offences, while submitting false compliance reports incurs fines of up to ₹10 lakh.

Context

Telecom regulators worldwide face the ongoing challenge of balancing strict quality standards with fast-changing mobile technologies like 5G. Traditional testing methods have long provided independent verification of network performance, but mobile networks have grown increasingly complex to monitor manually.