India
Opensignal is the independent global standard for analyzing consumers' connectivity experiences. Our industry reports are the definitive guide to understanding what happens when people use their mobile and broadband connections in their daily life.
India
Opensignal is the independent global standard for analyzing consumers' connectivity experiences. Our industry reports are the definitive guide to understanding what happens when people use their mobile and broadband connections in their daily life.
Key Findings
Airtel users enjoy the top Video, Games and Voice App Experience in India, both with 5G and overall
Our Airtel users observe the best quality of experience while streaming videos, playing multiplayer mobile games and using over-the-top (OTT) voice services on mobile voice apps with 5G in India. Airtel is also the outright winner of the Video and Voice App Experience awards and jointly wins the Games Experience award alongside Vi. Airtel's 5G Video Experience score rates as Very Good (68-78), higher than the Good (58-68) rating it gets for overall Video Experience.
Jio users see the fastest download speeds in India
Jio is the outright winner of both the Download Speed Experience and 5G Download Speed awards, with scores of 22.5Mbps and 315.3Mbps, respectively. In both categories, Jio wins by large margins. The average overall download speeds of our Jio users are 4.5Mbps (24.7%) faster than those seen by Airtel users and while Jio’s 5G Download Speed score is 54.1Mbps (20.7%) higher than second-placed Airtel.
Jio has the most consistent experience
Jio wins the Excellent Consistent Quality award, with a score of 63%. The operator also wins the Core Consistent Quality award with a score of 84.3%. However, Jio's lead over second-placed Airtel has slightly dipped across both categories. Jio's winning margin over Airtel has declined from 8.4 to 5.5 percentage points in Excellent Consistent Quality and from 8.8 to 6.8 percentage points in Core Consistent Quality.
Jio dominates the coverage categories
Jio wins all four coverage awards outright. Jio takes home the Availability and the 5G Availability awards as users on Jio spend the greatest proportion of time connected to mobile broadband services. Jio also wins 4G Coverage Experience and 5G Reach, as Jio has the highest scores of 9.5 points and 4.2 points, respectively (on a scale of 0-10).
Airtel comes top for 5G Upload Speed
On average, users on Airtel experience the fastest 5G upload speeds in the country, 23.9Mbps. As a result, Airtel takes home the 5G Upload Speed award with a 5.9Mbps lead over Jio. However, when we look at average overall upload speeds, Vi wins the Upload Speed Experience award with 5Mbps — just 0.3Mbps ahead of second-placed Airtel.
Mobile Experience Awards
Market Overview
Much has changed in the Indian telecom landscape since our last mobile network experience report in October 2022. Airtel became the first to launch commercially, using non-standalone access (NSA) technology and naming it 5G Plus. On the other hand, Jio has taken the 5G standalone access (SA) route calling it True 5G, and uses the 700 MHz band (5G low-band spectrum) that no other Indian operator currently has.
Since then, both operators have been putting significant efforts into expanding their 5G footprint. As of March 2023, Jio claims to have rolled out 5G in 406 cities. Meanwhile, rival Airtel argues it is ahead in the race with a 5G footprint of 500 cities. However, by contrast, India's third largest operator Vi has not formally announced its 5G launch date, while state-owned BSNL is strengthening its 4G network and aiming to launch 5G by 2024.
These 5G efforts in India have been paying off, as in Opensignal's recent 5G analysis, we found that users across India are experiencing huge uplifts in experience with 5G compared to 4G, and Tier 2 cities see some of the most significant jumps.
In this report, Opensignal has analyzed the overall mobile network and 5G experience together for the first time and given awards for India's 5G experience. Opensignal results show that since the last report and the launch of 5G, the overall speed experience across India has improved massively, aided by our 5G users spending significant amounts of time with 5G.
For this analysis, Opensignal has assessed the overall mobile network experience of our users on the four main mobile network operators in India: Airtel, BSNL, Jio and Vi, over a period of 90 days starting on December 1, 2022, and ending on February 28, 2023, to understand how they compare nationally as well as in 22 telecom circles. We have also analyzed the 5G experience of our users on the two Indian operators that have commercially launched 5G — Airtel and Jio. In addition to the 5G Experience metrics, which represent the experience of our 5G users when they have an active 5G connection, we also include – 5G User measures (such as Download Speed Experience – 5G Users) that show the overall experience of our 5G users across all generations of mobile technology.
Overall Experience
National Analysis
Once again, our users had the best mobile video experience on Airtel's network. Airtel remains the sole winner of the Video Experience award, scoring 60.7 points on a 100-point scale. The operator commands a lead of 1.6 points over second-placed Jio and 2.1 points over third-placed Vi. On the other hand, BSNL scores the lowest for Video Experience with 33.3 points. With these scores, the overall quality of experience while streaming mobile videos rates Good (58-68) across Airtel, Jio and Vi, and Poor (under 48) on BSNL.
Definitions
Opensignal’s Video Experience quantifies the quality of video streamed to mobile devices by measuring real-world video streams over an operator's networks. The metric is based on an International Telecommunication Union (ITU) approach, built upon detailed studies which have derived a relationship between technical parameters, including picture quality, video loading time and stall rate, with the perceived video experience as reported by real people. To calculate video experience, we are directly measuring video streams from end-user devices and using this ITU approach to quantify the overall video experience for each operator on a scale from 0 to 100. The videos tested include a mixture of resolutions — including Full HD (FHD) and 4K / Ultra HD (UHD) — and are streamed directly from the world’s largest video content providers.
In addition to Video Experience, we report on the following metrics related to video experience:
- 5G Video Experience: The average Video Experience of Opensignal users when they were connected to an operator’s 5G network.
- Video Experience – 5G Users: The average Video Experience of Opensignal users with a 5G device and a 5G subscription across an operator's networks. It factors in 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G video experience along with the availability of each technology.
- 4G Video Experience: The average Video Experience of Opensignal users on an operator's 4G network.
- 3G Video Experience: The average Video Experience of Opensignal users on an operator’s 3G network.
National Analysis
Airtel and Vi are joint winners of the Games Experience award with statistically tied scores of 58.3-58.4 points (on a 100-point scale) — at least 4.3 points ahead of Jio. This means Airtel and Vi users enjoy the best available overall experience when playing multiplayer mobile games such as battle royale games like COD mobile or Garena FreeFire and MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena) titles like Arena of Valor.
Definitions
Opensignal’s Games Experience measures how mobile users experience real-time multiplayer mobile gaming on an operator’s network. Measured on a scale of 0-100, it analyzes how our users’ multiplayer mobile gaming experience is affected by mobile network conditions including latency, packet loss and jitter.
Games Experience quantifies the experience when playing real-time multiplayer mobile games on mobile devices connected to servers located around the world. The approach is built on several years of research quantifying the relationship between technical network parameters and the gaming experience as reported by real mobile users. These parameters include latency (round trip time), jitter (variability of latency) and packet loss (the proportion of data packets that never reach their destination). Additionally, it considers multiple genres of multiplayer mobile games to measure the average sensitivity to network conditions. The games tested include some of the most popular real-time multiplayer mobile games (such as Fortnite, Pro Evolution Soccer and Arena of Valor) played around the world.
Calculating Games Experience starts with measuring the end-to-end experience from users’ devices to internet end-points that host real games. The score is then measured on a scale from 0 to 100.
In addition to Games Experience, we report on the following metrics related to games experience:
- 5G Games Experience: The average Games Experience of Opensignal users when they were connected to an operator’s 5G network.
- Games Experience – 5G Users: The average Games Experience of Opensignal users with a 5G device and a 5G subscription across an operator's networks. It factors in 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G games experience along with the availability of each technology.
- 4G Games Experience: The average Games Experience of Opensignal users on an operator's 4G network.
- 3G Games Experience: The average Games Experience of Opensignal users on an operator's 3G (e.g. UMTS/HSPA or CDMA 1X EV-DO) network.
National Analysis
Airtel retains the Voice App Experience award with a score of 77.2 points — around 0.5-1 points ahead of Jio and Vi. All three kept their Acceptable (74-80) rating, while BSNL rates Poor with 68.5 points (on a 100-point scale).
An Acceptable Voice App Experience means some users are satisfied. Perceptible call quality impairments are experienced by some users. Clicking sounds of short duration or distortion are heard, and/or the volume may not be sufficiently loud. Listeners are generally able to comprehend without repetition.
Definitions
Opensignal's Voice App Experience measures the quality of experience for over-the-top (OTT) voice services — mobile voice apps such as WhatsApp, Skype and Facebook Messenger — using a model derived from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) approach for quantifying overall voice call quality and a series of calibrated technical parameters. This model characterizes the exact relationship between the technical measurements and perceived call quality. Voice App Experience for each operator is calculated on a scale from 0 to 100.
In addition to Voice App Experience, we report on the following metrics related to voice app experience:
- 5G Voice App Experience: The average Voice App Experience of Opensignal users when they were connected to an operator’s 5G network.
- Voice App Experience – 5G Users: The average Voice App Experience of Opensignal users with a 5G device and a 5G subscription across an operator's networks. It factors in 2G, 3G, 4G and 5G voice app experience along with the availability of each technology.
- 4G Voice App Experience: The average Voice App Experience of Opensignal users on an operator's 4G network.
- 3G Voice App Experience: The average Voice App Experience of Opensignal users on an operator's 3G (e.g. UMTS/HSPA or CDMA 1X EV-DO) network.
National Analysis
Jio users experience the fastest overall download speeds in India, 22.5Mbps on average — 4.5Mbps (24.7%) faster than Airtel's score of 18Mbps and 7.6Mbps (50.7%) faster than third-placed Vi with 14.9Mbps. This means that Jio is the winner of the Download Speed Experience award.
Definitions
Measured in Mbps, Download Speed Experience represents the typical everyday speeds a user experiences across an operator’s mobile data networks.
In addition to Download Speed Experience, we report on the following metrics related to download speeds:
- 5G Download Speed: The average download speed observed by Opensignal users with active 5G connections.
- Download Speed Experience – 5G Users: The average download speeds experienced by Opensignal users with a 5G device and a 5G subscription across an operator’s networks. It factors in 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G download speeds along with the availability of each technology.
- 4G Download Speed: The average downlink speed observed by Opensignal users when they were connected to 4G.
- 3G Download Speed: The average downlink speed observed by Opensignal users when they were connected to 3G (e.g. UMTS/HSPA or CDMA 1X EV-DO).
National Analysis
Vi is the winner of the Upload Speed Experience award. Our users on Vi's network see the top overall upload speeds in India, which averaged 5Mbps. Meanwhile, Airtel and Jio are in second and third place, respectively, with scores of 4.7Mbps and 4.2Mbps.
Definitions
Upload Speed Experience measures the average upload speeds for each operator observed by our users across their mobile data networks. Typically upload speeds are slower than download speeds, as current mobile broadband technologies focus resources on providing the best possible download speed for users consuming content on their devices. As mobile internet trends move away from downloading content to creating content and supporting real-time communications services, upload speeds are becoming more vital and new technologies are emerging that boost upstream capacity.
In addition to Upload Speed Experience, we report on five supporting metrics related to upload speeds:
- 5G Upload Speed: The average upload speed observed by Opensignal users with active 5G connections.
- Upload Speed Experience – 5G Users: The average upload speeds experienced by Opensignal users with a 5G device and a 5G subscription across an operator’s networks. It factors in 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G upload speeds along with the availability of each technology.
- 4G Upload Speed: The average uplink speed observed by Opensignal users when they were connected to 4G.
- 3G Upload Speed: The average uplink speed observed by Opensignal users when they were connected to 3G (e.g. UMTS/HSPA or CDMA 1X EV-DO).
Regional Analysis
In this section, we compare Indian operators to see how they stack up across each of these circles in terms of users' overall mobile network experience.
Airtel not only takes home the national award for the Video Experience category, but it also wins most of the regional awards for Video Experience. Airtel wins outright in 11 out of 22 circles, including two out of three metro circles (Delhi and Kolkata). Airtel also shares first place with Jio in two circles (the East and West Uttar Pradesh circles). Meanwhile, Jio wins outright in six circles and shares the podium alongside Vi in Assam and Karnataka for Video Experience. Our results reveal that our Airtel users in Odisha enjoy the best quality mobile video streaming with the highest score of 64.7 points (out of 100) when comparing Video Experience across all circles and their respective operators.
Likewise, Airtel dominates India's regional Games Experience. Our Airtel users enjoy the top Games Experience in 14 circles, including the West Bengal, Karnataka and North East circles, where it shares first place with Vi. On the other hand, Vi wins outright in eight circles, including the Mumbai and Kolkata metro circles. Across all circles, our Vi users in the Mumbai metro circle enjoy the best quality multiplayer mobile gaming, followed by Airtel users in the Mumbai metro, Maharashtra and Gujarat circles.
Looking at Voice App Experience, national winner Airtel solely leads in 14 circles, including the Delhi metro circle. On the other hand, Vi wins outright in five circles — two of which are the remaining metro circles, Mumbai and Kolkata. Both Airtel and Vi are joint top in Assam and Kerala and share first place with Jio due to a three-way statistical tie in the North-East circle.
In the regional breakdown of India's Download Speed Experience, we found that our Jio users clock the top download speeds across 18 out of 22 circles, including Bihar, where it jointly wins with Airtel. Our analysis also shows that, across all circles in India, Jio users in the Kolkata metro circle enjoy the fastest overall download speeds — an impressive 39.7Mbps on average followed by Jio users in Mumbai metro (36.5Mbps), Gujarat (30.2Mbps), Delhi metro (29.5Mbps) and Karnataka (27.3Mbps). Airtel appears on the list in 7th place, with users in the Delhi metro circle observing average speeds of 23.9Mbps
Regional Analysis Summary: India, Mobile Network Experience Report, April 2023
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- Andhra Pradesh
- Assam
- Bihar
- Delhi
- Gujarat
- Haryana
- Himachal Pradesh
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- Jammu and Kashmir
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- Kerala
- Kolkata
- Madhya Pradesh
- Maharashtra
- Mumbai
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- Punjab
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- Rajasthan
- Tamil Nadu
- Uttar Pradesh (East)
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- West Bengal
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5G Experience
National Analysis
Our Airtel users have the best experience streaming video over 5G networks, making the operator the 5G Video Experience award winner. Airtel wins with a score of 75.7 points on a 100-point scale, slightly ahead of Jio. Both mobile operators place in the Very Good (68-78) category for 5G Video Experience, which means our users, on average, are able to stream video at 1080p or better over 5G connections with satisfactory loading times and little stalling.
Compared to overall Video Experience, this means one category higher for both Airtel and Jio — up from Good (58-68). However, Jio users see a slightly higher 5G to overall Video Experience uplift of 26.5%, compared to Airtel's 24.6%.
Definitions
5G Video Experience quantifies the quality of mobile video experienced by Opensignal users on real-world video streams when they were connected to 5G. The metric is based on an International Telecommunication Union (ITU) approach, built upon detailed studies which have derived a relationship between technical parameters, including picture quality, video loading time and stall rate, with the perceived video experience as reported by real people. To calculate 5G Video Experience, we are directly measuring video streams from end-user devices and using this ITU approach to quantify the video experience observed by our users on each operator’s 5G network on a scale from 0 to 100. The videos tested include a mixture of resolutions — including Full HD (FHD) and 4K / Ultra HD (UHD) — and are streamed directly from the world’s largest video content providers.
National Analysis
Our users' mobile gaming experience was quite different on both of India’s 5G networks, as Airtel rates one category higher than Jio. Airtel comes first in 5G Games Experience with a score of 77.5 points on a 100-point scale, achieving a Good (75-85) rating — 7.1 points higher than Jio's score of 70.4 points, which places in the Fair (65-75 points) category.
Further, our Airtel users see the highest improvements in 5G Games Experience compared to overall Games Experience, with an increase of 19.2 points (32.9%), followed by Jio with 16.4 points (30.3%).
A Good 5G Games Experience means most users deem the experience acceptable. The gameplay experience is generally controllable, and the users receive immediate feedback between their actions and the outcomes in the game. In addition, most users do not experience a delay between their actions and the game.
Definitions
5G Games Experience measures how mobile users experience real-time multiplayer mobile gaming on an operator's 5G network. It analyzes how our users’ multiplayer mobile gaming experience was affected by mobile network conditions including latency, packet loss and jitter. 5G Games Experience for each operator is calculated on a scale from 0 to 100.
5G Games Experience quantifies the experience when playing real-time multiplayer mobile games on mobile devices connected to servers located around the world. The approach is built on several years of research quantifying the relationship between technical network parameters and the gaming experience as reported by real mobile users. These parameters include latency (round trip time), jitter (variability of latency) and packet loss (the proportion of data packets that never reach their destination). Additionally, it considers multiple genres of multiplayer mobile games to measure the average sensitivity to network conditions. The games tested include some of the most popular real-time multiplayer mobile games (such as Fortnite, Pro Evolution Soccer and Arena of Valor) played around the world. Calculating 5G Games Experience starts with measuring the end-to-end experience from users’ devices to internet end-points that host real games.
National Analysis
We saw a tight competition for 5G Voice App Experience, with just 2.1 points separating the two operators' scores. Airtel wins this category with a score of 82.3 points (on a 100-point scale), while Jio scores 80.2 points. Both operators place in the Good (80-87) category for 5G Voice App Experience — the quality of experience with 5G while using over-the-top (OTT) voice services over mobile voice apps such as WhatsApp, Skype and Facebook Messenger.
A Good 5G Voice App Experience means many users are satisfied. But some users experience minor quality impairments. Sometimes the background is not quite clear, it can be either hazy or not loud enough. Clicking sounds or distortion are very rarely present.
Definitions
5G Voice App Experience quantifies the experience of Opensignal users when using over-the-top voice apps — such as WhatsApp, Skype and Facebook Messenger — on an operator’s 5G network. It uses a model derived from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) approach for quantifying overall voice call quality and a series of calibrated technical parameters. This model characterizes the exact relationship between the technical measurements and perceived call quality. 5G Voice App Experience for each operator is calculated on a scale from 0 to 100.
National Analysis
Jio wins 5G Download Speed outright, scoring 315.3Mbps — 54.1Mbps (20.7%) faster than second-placed Airtel's 261.2Mbps.
However, both Airtel and Jio users have significantly faster download speeds with 5G compared to average download speeds across all technologies — 14 fold faster on Jio and 14.5 fold faster on Airtel.
Definitions
5G Download Speed shows the average download speed experienced by Opensignal users across an operator’s 5G network. 5G Download Speed for each operator is calculated in Mbps (Megabits per second).
National Analysis
Our users on Airtel enjoy the fastest 5G upload speeds in India, 23.9Mbps on average and 5.9Mbps (32.9%) faster than those seen by Jio users. Additionally, Our Airtel users saw the highest uplift between overall upload speeds and 5G upload speeds of 5.1 times — followed by the uplift of 4.3 times seen by Jio users.
While download speeds always attract the most attention, upload speeds are becoming increasingly important to users. Sharing photos and videos on social media or large files all benefit from fast upload speeds.
Definitions
5G Upload Speed measures the average upload speeds experienced by Opensignal users across an operator’s 5G network. 5G Upload Speed for each operator is calculated in Mbps (Megabits per second).
Regional Analysis
In Opensignal's recent analysis, we found that our users’ 5G experience is significantly better than that on 4G, with average download speeds between 12.2-26.2 times faster, Video Experience 19.9-32.4% better and Games Experience improved by 14-44.4% across all 22 telecom circles. In this report, we compare Indian operators to see how they stack up across each of these circles in terms of users' 5G experience.
We saw small variations in terms of 5G Video Experience across circles, with users on Airtel and Jio enjoying a Very Good (68-78) mobile video streaming experience on 5G networks in all 22 circles. Airtel is the outright winner in 11 circles and a joint winner alongside Jio in a further seven. Meanwhile, Jio is also the sole winner in four circles for 5G Video Experience.
Compared to 5G Video Experience, we see a considerable variation in 5G Games Experience. Airtel dominates the regional 5G Games Experience results by winning in 20 circles — either jointly or outright. On the other hand, Jio is top in four circles, including two joint wins with Airtel in Bihar and Kolkata (metro). The 5G Games Experience on Airtel achieves Good ratings in 10 circles and Fair ratings in another 10. In contrast, Jio rates Good for 5G Games Experience in one circle — Mumbai (metro) — Fair in another 18. On the other hand, Airtel and Jio both garner Poor ratings for 5G Games Experience in Assam and North East.
Jio tops 5G Download Speed across all 22 circles — jointly or outright. Airtel, on the other hand, jointly wins alongside Jio in Delhi (metro), Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Odisha and Rajasthan. Compared to our users across all 22 circles, Jio users in the Kolkata metro circle see the fastest average 5G download speeds of 428.5Mbps, while Airtel users in North East see the lowest average 5G download speeds of 158.4Mbps.
Compared to overall download speeds, across circles, our Airtel users with 5G see 10.6 to 17.3 times faster download speeds with 5G, while the uplift for Jio users ranges from 9.3 to 24.5 times.
Regional Analysis Summary: India, Mobile Network Experience Report, April 2023
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A-H
- Andhra Pradesh
- Assam
- Bihar
- Delhi
- Gujarat
- Haryana
- Himachal Pradesh
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- Jammu and Kashmir
- Karnataka
- Kerala
- Kolkata
- Madhya Pradesh
- Maharashtra
- Mumbai
- North-East
- Odisha
- Punjab
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- Rajasthan
- Tamil Nadu
- Uttar Pradesh (East)
- Uttar Pradesh (West)
- West Bengal
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Coverage
National Analysis
Our Jio users continue to spend the largest proportion of their time connected to a 3G or better cellular signal — a spectacular 99.4%, but less than one percentage point greater than its closest competitor Airtel (98.5%). Vi is further behind with 96.2% Availability, followed by BSNL with 83.6%.
Definitions
Our availability metrics are not a measure of a network’s geographical extent. They won’t tell you whether you are likely to get a signal if you plan to visit a remote rural or nearly uninhabited region. Instead, they measure what proportion of time people have a network connection, in the places they most commonly frequent — something often missed by traditional coverage metrics. Looking at when users have a connection rather than where, provides us with a more precise reflection of the true user experience.
We also keep track of the instances that leave mobile users most frustrated: when there is no signal to connect to at all. The most common dead zones users struggle with occur indoors. As most of our availability data is collected indoors (as that’s where users spend most of their time), we’re particularly astute at detecting areas of zero signal.
Our availability metrics take a user-centric, time-based approach that complements the user-centric and geographical-based methodology used by our reach metrics.
Availability shows the proportion of time all Opensignal users on an operator’s network had either a 3G, 4G or 5G connection.
National Analysis
Having very fast average 5G download speeds is only useful when users have a 5G connection. Opensignal's 5G Availability compares the amount of time our 5G users spend with an active 5G connection — the higher the percentage, the more time users on a network spend connected to 5G. Jio wins the 5G Availability award, with our 5G users on its network connecting to 5G on average for 32.5% of the time. Airtel is a long way behind with a 5G Availability of 11.4%.
Definitions
Our availability metrics are not a measure of a network’s geographical extent. They won’t tell you whether you are likely to get a signal if you plan to visit a remote rural or nearly uninhabited region. Instead, they measure what proportion of time people have a network connection, in the places they most commonly frequent — something often missed by traditional coverage metrics. Looking at when users have a connection rather than where, provides us with a more precise reflection of the true user experience.
We also keep track of the instances that leave mobile users most frustrated: when there is no signal to connect to at all. The most common dead zones users struggle with occur indoors. As most of our availability data is collected indoors (as that’s where users spend most of their time), we’re particularly astute at detecting areas of zero signal.
Our availability metrics take a user-centric, time-based approach that complements the user-centric and geographical-based methodology used by our reach metrics.
5G Availability shows the proportion of time Opensignal users with a 5G device and a 5G subscription had an active 5G connection.
National Analysis
Our Jio users are able to connect to 5G in the most locations out of all those they visited — making Jio the outright winner of the 5G Reach award. Jio wins with a score of 4.2 points on a 10-point scale and a lead of 0.8 points over Airtel's 3.4 points.
Definitions
5G Reach measures how users experience the geographical extent of an operator’s 5G network. It analyzes the average proportion of locations where users were connected to a 5G network out of all the locations those users have visited. In simple terms, 5G Reach measures the 5G mobile experience in all the locations that matter most to everyday users – i.e. all the places where they live, work and travel. 5G Reach for each operator is measured on a scale from 0 to 10.
National Analysis
Jio remains the sole winner of the 4G Coverage Experience award. It wins this time with a score of 9.5 points on a 10-point scale, giving it a lead of 1.4 points over Airtel's 8.1 points. Vi follows behind with 6.4 points, while BSNL is in last place with 2.7 points.
Definitions
4G Coverage Experience measures how mobile subscribers experience 4G coverage on an operator’s network. Measured on a scale of 0-10, it analyzes the locations where customers of a network operator received a 4G signal relative to the locations visited by users of all network operators.
In simple terms, 4G Coverage Experience measures the mobile coverage experience in all the locations that matter most to everyday users — i.e. all the places where they live, work and travel. It considers all the areas that Opensignal users visit, the portion of locations that 4G is available to them, and locations that more users visit have higher importance to them.
Regional Analysis
In our regional analysis of Availability, Jio is the winner across all 22 circles, with users being able to spend more than 99% of the time connected to Jio's mobile broadband service. Meanwhile, Airtel is slightly behind, with Availability scores of 98-98.7%.
Turning to 5G Availability, Jio wins outright in 21 circles. Although Airtel shares first place with Jio in Jammu and Kashmir. Generally, the difference between Jio and Airtel for 5G availability is much starker than that for Availability. In the 21 circles where Jio wins outright, the operator leads by 10-45.6 percentage points over Airtel. The 5G availability on Airtel ranges from 3.8% in Punjab to 16.8% in Mumbai (metro) circle. Meanwhile, Jio’s 5G Availability score ranges from 11.1% in Jammu and Kashmir to 50.3% in Kolkata.
Jio wins 5G Reach in 21 circles, including five circles where it shares joint wins with Airtel (Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and West Bengal). 5G Reach measures how our users experience the geographical extent of an operator's 5G network. The only circle where Airtel wins outright is Jammu and Kashmir. 5G Reach on Jio ranges from 6.6 points in the Kolkata metro circle to 1.5 points in West Bengal, while rival Airtel's score ranges from 5.7 points in Delhi and Mumbai metro circles to 0.4 points in Punjab.
Regional Analysis Summary: India, Mobile Network Experience Report, April 2023
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Consistency
National Analysis
Jio wins Excellent Consistent Quality outright for the third time in Opensignal reports. It meets the minimum recommended performance thresholds for demanding common applications such as HD video, group video conference calls and gaming, in 63% of users' tests — 0.4 percentage points higher than in the previous report. Meanwhile, second-placed Airtel's score grew by 3.3 percentage points to 57.5%. As a result, Jio's lead over Airtel has declined from 8.4 to 5.5 percentage points compared to last time. On the other hand, Vi is in third place with 48.9%, while BSNL is further behind at 13.2%.
Definitions
Consistent Quality measures how often users’ experience on a network was sufficient to support common applications’ requirements. It measures download speed, upload speed, latency, jitter, packet loss, time to first byte and the percentage of tests attempted which did not succeed due to a connectivity issue on either the download or server response component.
Full details on how the Consistent Quality metrics — Excellent Consistent Quality and Core Consistent Quality — are calculated can be found here.
Excellent Consistent Quality is the percentage of users’ tests that met the minimum recommended performance thresholds to watch HD video, complete group video conference calls and play games.
National Analysis
Jio holds onto the Core Consistent Quality award, winning it outright with a score of 84.3%, which means the operator meets the minimum recommended performance thresholds for lower-performance applications, including SD video, voice calls and web browsing in 84.3% of the tests. However, Jio's lead has shrunk to 6.8 percentage points from 8.8 percentage points seen in the previous report. Airtel remains in second place, this time with a score of 77.5%, while Vi is in third place with 69.2%.
Definitions
Consistent Quality measures how often users’ experience on a network was sufficient to support common applications’ requirements. It measures download speed, upload speed, latency, jitter, packet loss, time to first byte and the percentage of tests attempted which did not succeed due to a connectivity issue on either the download or server response component.
Full details on how the Consistent Quality metrics — Excellent Consistent Quality and Core Consistent Quality — are calculated can be found here.
Core Consistent Quality is the percentage of users’ tests that met the minimum recommended performance thresholds for lower performance applications including SD video, voice calls and web browsing.
Related Analysis
Our Methodology
Collecting billions of individual measurements daily from over 100 million devices globally, Opensignal independently analyzes mobile and broadband user experience on every major network operator around the globe.
About Opensignal
Opensignal is the leading global provider of independent insights into consumers' connectivity experiences and choice of carrier. Our proprietary insights into mobile and broadband networks give operators the solutions they need to profitably compete and win, from executive level scorecards and public validation to pin-point level engineering analytics and consumer decision dynamics.
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Confidence Intervals
For every metric we calculate statistical confidence intervals indicated on our graphs. When confidence intervals overlap, our measured results are too close to declare a winner. In those cases, we show a statistical draw. For this reason, some metrics have multiple operator winners.
In our bar graphs we represent confidence intervals as boundaries on either sides of graph bars.
In our supporting-metric charts we show confidence intervals as +/- numerical values.
Why confidence intervals are vital in analyzing mobile network experience