Call Drops - India

What is a dropped call?

When a mobile phone call gets terminated due to the failure of getting latched to a nearby mobile site or a base station (also known as dead zones), this unexpected termination is termed as a call drop.

Why is it a major concern?

According to TRAI’s report for June 2014 quarter, there was an increase of 5 % in the call drops from March 2014 to June 2014, resulting into 14 % call drops of all 3G operators. For 2G, out of 183 operators, almost 13 % amongst them had call drops of 3.28%. So, the irking statement while making a call ‘The xyz Operator you are calling seems unavailable at the moment’ is going to be heard quite often if the situation prevails.

Why call drops in India?

1.      Insufficient number of towers.

·         Current number: 4.25 lakh (Approx.)

·         Required: 6.25 lakh

2.      There has been a remarkable rise in the data and voice traffic which the current spectrum supply cannot suffice. Indian operators hold an average of 12-15 MHz of airwaves compared to 40-45 MHz Globally.

Effect on operators?

 There is no gain for an operator if the CDRs are generated on second basis, but if the subscriber has opted for a certain number of free calls plan or if the CDRs are generated on per minute basis, consumers are affected more. Also the ARPU generated per minute gets reduced.

How to deal?

Government’s role:

·         Some spectrum from the defense services can be released for use.

·         The roofs of the government buildings can be utilized for setting up towers

·         Uniform procedures on towers must be followed and implemented.

Operators’ role:

As there have been constant alarming warnings from the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Telecom Minister Mr. Ravi Shankar Prasad, Telcos claim that they are helpless despite making huge investments of 1.34 lakh crores in spectrum and network. There has been constant demands from the operators for allowing the access to Government premises and cantonment areas to overcome this horrendous problem.

Rajat Arora

Batch - 2016

Symbiosis Institute Of Telecom Management