‘Last month when I visited my native town in Rajasthan, I spent most of my journey on train struggling for cellular coverage. The situation didn’t improve much once I reached there. Conducting manual search every now and then to get hold of signal was my favourite pass time during my holidays’ – Mrs Singh explained in midst of a discussion on call drop issues in India.

This is a problem faced by millions of mobile phone subscribers in India. Stuck amidst persistent issues such as random call drops and poor data connectivity, Indians are at the mercy of over a dozen cellular service providers, each competing against the other and claiming to be the best.

 Call Drop Meaning

Call drop is nothing but sudden break in mobile communication due to varied reasons. Despite of 5 bar connectivity displayed on your mobile device, you might still fail to connect to the outside world.You may dial and re-dial, choke the network but to no avail. The call drop issue worsens when your cell is on roaming, when you are transiting through inter-state highways, in train or located in high traffic (cellular) areas such as airports, IT hubs and business parks. In cases where a high-rise building blocks your way to the nearest tower, chances of your call drop rate being high is bright.

 Reasons for call drop

The government blames it on telecom operators and cites improper infrastructure and inadequate cellular tower as the primary reason for surmounting call drop complaints. On the contrary, telecom operators regard stringent government regulations and shortage of spectrum (which of course is controlled by authorities) as elements that restrict them from providing better coverage to consumers.

TRAI has set a benchmark of <=2% call drops which is met only by few operators. Though a discussion regarding imposition of penalty on operators exceeding the benchmark is being held, the call drop issue would seemingly persist for a longer duration.

As per information sourced from TRAI(provided by service providers), investment in network infrastructure (excluding radio spectrum) has increase by 4.6% between FY2012-13 and FY 2013-14 while the minutes of usage of cellular service jumped to 6.8% in the same period. Clearly, investment could not keep pace with the increase in usage- leading to enhanced call drop issues.

• Spectrum insufficiency – the leading reason for call drop is little availability of ‘spectrum’, the radio waves that carry phone signals. This is controlled globally by governments.
• Insufficient coverage – This can be due to improper network planning, inadequate cellular towers or lack of network optimization.
• Overloaded cellular Tower – A common phenomena in India where number of cellular users exceeds the network infrastructure – an overloaded cellular tower automatically means reduced connectivity and higher call drop complaints.
• Changes in city infrastructure–City landscape is prone to constant changes. This means that a newly constructed high-rise building in your neighbourhood can also be the reason for sudden call drop issues being faced by you. Obviously, the clear line of sight, a must for the radio signals to be transmitted seamlessly, has been blocked.
• Technical failures–random technical errors may also be a cause of erratic call drops

 Will call drop issues ever get resolved in India?

Well yes – but not soon. Seeing the complexity of the problem and number of stakeholders involved, the problem will take its own time to resolve.

However, it wasn’t always so. Initially, when India got introduced to the concept of cell phones in mid- 1990’s, the experience was good. Call quality exceeded standards with low number of subscribers and higher per minute call cost- about INR 16/minute.

The mobile revolution caused things to change. Connections and calls both became cheaper and subscriptions increased manifold. Towers were limited and thus overloaded and call drop issues started becoming a natural order of cellular communication.Increased usage of 3G and 4G data, streaming videos also contributed to the issue.

Besides, the issues stated above, mounting concerns over cellular radiation and health hazards that it may cause have cropped up. The industry experts however claim the allegation to be incorrect as the towers in India exceed the safety standards set by World Health Organization.

Approach to be followed

What should be the steps to improve cellular connectivity and minimize call drop complaints? Stakeholders should probably work towards the following:-

• Optimize existing networks and plan for a better cellular coverage
• Eliminate false radiation fears and encourage masses to support cellular tower set up
• Conduct analytical research with respect to changing city landscape and act appropriately
• Use improved global technologies for faster data speed and better connectivity
• Encourage use of mobile boosters to amplify indoor network
• Offset power failures

 Immediate solution- cell Phone boosters

Until government and cell phone operators shift their approach and improve the situation, consider using mobile boosters for home and offices for improved signal strength. Promoting ‘no call drops’ the signal boosters are meant to boost your signal strength manifold so that you enjoy seamless connectivity all through.

For more information on cell phone boosters and to find one that shall save you from call drops, contact us at +91-9015846846