New Delhi: In a major initiative to strengthen rural digital connectivity, the Department of Posts (DoP) and the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to conduct India’s largest village-level survey on mobile network performance.
The nationwide app-based survey will assess the quality of services provided by telecom operators Bharti Airtel, Reliance Jio, Vodafone Idea (Vi) and BSNL across more than 5.68 lakh villages in the country.
The MoU was signed in New Delhi by Manisha Bansal Badal, General Manager (Citizen Centric Services & Rural Business), Department of Posts, and S.M.K. Chandra, Joint Advisor (Broadband & Policy Analysis), TRAI, in the presence of senior officials from both organisations.
The survey will leverage the Department of Posts’ extensive rural network of over 1.40 lakh Branch Post Offices. Gramin Dak Sevaks (GDSs) will collect real-time field data during their routine postal deliveries using a specially developed Android-based mobile application designed by TRAI.
The initiative aims to identify mobile network coverage gaps, evaluate service quality and generate reliable field-level data to support evidence-based policymaking and improvements in telecom infrastructure across rural India.
The Department of Posts said the collaboration reinforces its commitment to the Digital India mission by using its trusted grassroots network to support the creation of reliable digital infrastructure.
TRAI said the partnership would significantly enhance its ability to evaluate telecom network performance at the village level, enabling better regulatory decisions and improved quality of service for consumers.
Under the one-year agreement, the Department of Posts will undertake field surveys through its nationwide postal network, while TRAI will provide the survey application, technical support, training and centralised monitoring.
The government said the initiative is expected to improve telecom service quality, bridge digital connectivity gaps and further the vision of a digitally empowered and inclusive India.
