Listen you might be tired seeing these questions again and again.. but i will simplify my usage..

I currently use two SIMs:

• Airtel: ₹1,849 annual voice-only plan. This is my primary number linked to banking etc, so I'm planning to keep it.
• Jio: ₹189/28 days plan is expiring in few days, which I mainly use as my second/data SIM.

My usage is pretty low most of the time. I'm on Wi-Fi at home, so mobile data is mainly for notifications, WhatsApp, Maps etc. when I'm outside.

The only time I use a lot of mobile data is during long-distance travel, when I might stream YouTube/OTT for timepass.

BSNL 4G is available both at my current location and my hometown. With the expected tariff hikes from private operators, I'm wondering if it makes sense to port my Jio number to BSNL and take a long-validity annual plan instead.

I'm okay with paying for a full year upfront if it saves money.

For people actually using BSNL 4G:

• How reliable is the data nowadays, especially while travelling?
• How is VoLTE/call quality?
• Would you trust BSNL as a secondary/data SIM for a full year?
• Or is Jio worth keeping even if tariffs increase?

Basically: Airtel + Jio vs Airtel + BSNL which combination would you choose for this kind of usage?

Just connecting a few dots again after Airtel's Priority 5G for postpaid fiasco and TRAI's latest consultation dated Aug 5, 2026 around QoS/network slicing. I wrote a post few days back did a deep dive on the paper.

But....What if we're slowly heading towards:

Prepaid → Standard 5G + limited data
Postpaid → Unlimited/Priority 5G + better QoS + more data limits.

Think about it. Telcos spent billions building 5G and gave unlimited data to drive adoption. At some point, they'll want to monetise that investment.

And 5G slicing gives them something much better to sell than another 1GB/day...priority itself.

For telcos, it's perfect: higher ARPU, predictable postpaid revenue, lower churn and potentially less congestion from unlimited prepaid traffic.

My only concern is where they draw the line.

Paying extra for genuinely premium QoS? Fair enough.

But deliberately making best-effort users suffer during congestion and then selling them the solution?

That's basically creating the problem and charging us to fix it.

TRAI hasn't proposed this prepaid/postpaid model .... I'm just connecting the dots.

What do you think: realistic future of Indian telecom, or am I reading too much into it?

I was reading TRAI's latest consultation paper dated 05-Aug-2026, and one topic really stood out to me.

It discusses differentiated Quality of Service (QoS) using 5G Network Slicing.

In simple terms, we may eventually see different types of mobile speed plans instead of everyone getting the same "best effort" internet.

Think of things like:

• Standard plans
• Low-latency gaming
• Business priority
• Guaranteed bandwidth
• Enterprise network slices

But here's what many people confuse...

This is not the same as AirFiber/FWA.

AirFiber is simply broadband delivered over 5G to a fixed location and offer different speed plans.

Network Slicing still uses the same mobile network that everyone shares, but different users can receive different levels of priority, latency, or reliability.

Here's the part I'm most curious about...

Can operators really deliver premium QoS if the backhaul is the bottleneck?

Many towers in India still rely on microwave backhaul. If that link is already congested, network slicing can't magically create more bandwidth. At best, it can decide who gets priority.

So for premium mobile internet to actually work as advertised, operators would also need better fiberisation, higher-capacity backhaul, and enough radio capacity.....not just 5G slicing.

Another thought that crossed my mind...

If this eventually becomes a reality, operators may start charging for network quality, not just data quantity.

Instead of competing mainly on unlimited 5G or daily data limits, we could see:

• Premium plans with guaranteed low latency or priority during congestion.
• Standard plans continuing as "best effort."
• Unlimited 5G becoming more selective or premium in congested areas to better manage network capacity.

That's just my interpretation of where things could head....not something TRAI has announced. But if operators can monetize QoS instead of simply raising tariffs, it could change how mobile plans are designed in the future.

I think this is one of the biggest telecom discussions we've had in years. If implemented well, it could change how mobile plans are sold in India. Please do check the paper on TRAI official website...

Would you pay extra for guaranteed low latency or priority during congestion, or should mobile internet remain the same for everyone? Do share your opinion 😂... i know it sucks.....because operators may push you choose premium plans again.

I've written this post mainly with middle-income and lower-income users in mind....people for whom every monthly expense matters and who may not need to pay for premium plans if their usage doesn't justify it.

With reports of another ~15% tariff hike in the future, I think it's a good time to rethink whether you're paying for something you don't actually need.

I see most users falling into three categories:

1. Mobile data + coverage dependent.

• You travel frequently.
• You hotspot your laptop.
• You rely on mobile data as your primary internet connection.

Choose the operator with the best coverage and consistency where you travel. Saving ₹100–₹200 isn't worth poor connectivity. Operators offering unlimited data are best to prefer to prevent capping.

(Note : Please be aware of the mobile hotspot usage restrictions as per the operator data usage terms & conditions)

2. Coverage dependent, but mostly on Wi-Fi

• Home Wi-Fi ✔️
• Office/College Wi-Fi ✔️
• Mobile data only when outside.

In this case, you may not need the most expensive operator. Reliable coverage for calls, UPI, OTPs, and occasional data is usually enough. You could save money by choosing the operator with the lowest monthly recharge that works well in your area. If your operator and phone support Wi-Fi Calling, it can greatly improve indoor calling when mobile coverage is weak.

3. Calls-only users (including feature phone users)

If your phone is mainly for calls and SMS, coverage should be your top priority. Unlimited 4G or 5G plans won't add much value. (For example, BSNL or Jio's 4G feature phone plans saves your money ~ by half.).

--------------

If you don't travel much...

If your routine is mostly Home ↔ Office or Home ↔ College, don't choose an operator based on nationwide coverage.

Instead, check point to point coverage using the Tarang Sanchar website and see what tower is available near you and your office/college. This website will help you choose better network in the place you live (rural/urban). The portal is updated periodically, so recently installed towers may not appear immediately.

TarangSanchar Website (Sample Location -Worli, Mumbai)

My personal rule of thumb when checking coverage:

• Rooftop tower: Ideally within 500m to 1 km (4G/5G).
• Ground-based tower: Around 1–2 km is excellent for 4G, while 3–4 km is generally reasonable for 2G voice coverage.

It's not a guarantee of signal quality, but it's a good starting point before buying or porting a SIM.

There's also no guarantee that today's affordable operator (such as BSNL) won't increase tariffs in the future if the market changes. The goal isn't to predict future prices....it's to choose an operator that best matches your current needs and usage.

At the end of the day, the best network isn't the one with the highest Speedtest result....it's the one that gives you the coverage, reliability, and plan you actually need while keeping your monthly or yearly bill under control.

Bonus: If you u have Dual SIM and you keep a secondary SIM for emergencies, remember to follow TRAI's 90-day usage rule to reduce the risk of the number being deactivated due to prolonged inactivity. Read the TRAI's Rs20 Rule on their official website.

Remember, a network that works brilliantly for someone else may perform poorly where you live. Always choose based on your own usage and location.

I hope I have covered what 80-90% users generally choose. Please share your opinion in comments. Thanks for reading!

There's been a lot of discussion about BSNL's 5G rollout, with many people saying it's "just a software update."

I don't think it's quite that simple.

Here's how I think the rollout could realistically happen based on BSNL's current network.

Note : This is only my personal understanding of how the technology and migration path typically work.

Current spectrum usage

• 900 MHz → 2G
• 700 MHz → 4G
• 2100 MHz → (Partial - 3G) + 4G

The biggest difference between BSNL and the private operators is that BSNL is still building its nationwide 4G network, while Airtel, Jio and Vi upgraded from an already mature LTE network.

Phase 1: Stabilize 4G (2026-2027)

I think this is BSNL's immediate priority.

There's little value in launching 5G if the nationwide 4G rollout isn't complete and stable first. A strong LTE network is especially important if BSNL starts with 5G NSA, since LTE acts as the anchor network.

At the same time, I expect 3G to be phased out gradually, freeing up the 2100 MHz band.

Phase 2: Refarm spectrum (Likely mid or fall 2027)

Once 3G is retired, BSNL has more flexibility.

A possible approach could be:

• 900 MHz → Continue with 2G for legacy users and IoT/M2M devices.
• 700 MHz → Continue as the primary nationwide LTE coverage layer.
• 2100 MHz → Gradually refarm from 3G to a mix of LTE and 5G NR, depending on traffic demand.

This lets BSNL introduce 5G without disrupting existing 4G users.

Phase 3: Launch 5G

Many people assume NSA means "no 5G radios."

That's not how NSA works.

Even in NSA, the phone still connects to a 5G NR carrier for user data while LTE provides the control plane. The advantage is that BSNL can reuse the existing EPC instead of deploying a nationwide 5G Core immediately.

If the indigenous RAN equipment being deployed today is truly 5G upgradable......as BSNL has indicated.....then enabling NR at many sites could be much faster than replacing the entire radio network. Some sites may still require additional hardware depending on what's already installed.

What about 5G Standalone (SA)?

Personally, I think BSNL is more likely to launch NSA first and transition to SA later to take advantage of its 700mhz band which is currently deployed on 4G for best coverage.

Once the 5G Core is deployed and features such as VoNR, network slicing, and advanced enterprise services are ready, SA would make much more sense.

My guess

If the 4G rollout finishes successfully and 3G retirement stays on track, I think:

2027 could be a realistic window for an initial 5G rollout in selected circles. 2028 seems more realistic for broader nationwide expansion.

Of course, this depends on factors like network readiness, spectrum strategy, politics, funding, and commercial priorities.

I'd love to hear what others think. If you were planning porting to BSNL, would you start with 4G or wait for its launch of 5G directly?... Please comment your views and opinions.

I don't usually make posts like this, but I came across one here saying "Hyderabad is becoming Bangalore."

My take?

Becoming ❌ Already became ✅

And honestly, this isn't just about Hyderabad. It's the direction many rapidly growing Indian cities are heading if urban planning doesn't keep pace with growth.

People often dream of moving to the outskirts for a quieter, more peaceful life & invested crores of rupees into apartments/villas. But we've already seen how areas like Nanakramguda and Kokapet transformed within a relatively short span of time. Places that once felt like the edge of the city are now busy urban hubs.

I think it's time we stop holding onto the illusion that any fast-growing metro will remain some what peaceful and traffic free forever. Without better planning and real estate greed, today's quiet neighborhoods can become tomorrow's congestion hotspots.

Today's Tier2 and Tier3 cities may feel more livable today, but they are growing the same way and will likely face many of the same Tier 1 problems over the next 10-20 years.

At this point, I don't think there's a magic fix. The city is already built.

The only realistic way forward, in my opinion, is to reduce the need to travel, not just build more roads.

That means:

• Create multiple business districts instead of concentrating jobs in one corridor.
• Encourage companies to hire closer to where people live or continue hybrid/WFH work where practical.
• Improve public transport by making it a genuinely faster and more convenient option than driving. Corporates can help by encouraging employees to use public transport through incentives/reimbursement on pass , flexible work timings, and better workplace connectivity. (Don't expect this one to show immediate results.... but it will clear lot of traffic within few years)
• Govt to stop approving massive residential projects without matching schools, hospitals, offices, and civic infrastructure nearby. (Citizens need to elect right person..and not based on their favorite religion or caste... it will only delay things and make life miserable).
• Develop nearby Tier2 cities seriously, so not everyone has to migrate to the same handful of metros.
• People should think of exploring things beyond IT/Tech roles. (Nothing is permanent.. things will change every decade and you will need to always learn and improvise for survival.)

Otherwise, we'll keep repeating the same cycle: today's outskirts become tomorrow's city center, and the search for a "peaceful locality" simply moves a few kilometres farther out.

What's the most realistic solution in your opinion? Coz i dont see many left with our high population-less invention being the biggest con in AI era. Do comment.... Thanks......

Vi's decision not to renew spectrum in a few circles may sound alarming....hmmm....but I think the realworld impact is likely to be much smaller than the headlines suggest.

According to recent reports, Vi is unlikely to renew 39.5 MHz of spectrum across six telecom circles, primarily in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands.

At first glance, it sounds like a major setback. But looking at it from a network planning perspective, the impact is likely to be limited.

Here's why:

• Spectrum is only valuable if it justifies its renewal cost. If certain blocks are underutilized or can be replaced through refarming and network optimization, renewing them may not make commercial sense.
• Vi has been modernizing its network over the past two years, investing in newer equipment, expanding 4G, and selectively rolling out 5G. In many cases, better spectrum utilization can offset the loss of small, fragmented holdings.
• The reported spectrum represents only a small portion of Vi's overall spectrum portfolio. The company's broader holdings across low, mid, and high band spectrum remain unchanged.
• For most subscribers, day to day experience is driven by factors such as site density, backhaul, carrier aggregation, and network optimization......not just the total amount of spectrum an operator owns.

That doesn't mean there's zero impact. In a few locations, especially where those frequencies were heavily relied upon, there could be localized changes in coverage or capacity. But I don't expect this to translate into a widespread deterioration in user experience.

Sometimes, choosing not to renew spectrum is less about losing capability and more about allocating capital where it delivers the highest return.

It'll be interesting to see how Vi reinvests those savings into expanding 4G, accelerating 5G, and further modernizing its network over the coming years.... Do you think i missed anything.. please do comment your view.... Thanks :)

The last couple of years have been a turning point for Vi. After years of uncertainty, the company finally started showing signs of moving forward, even though the challenges are far from over.

What improved:

• Fresh funding provided some much-needed stability.
• Long-awaited 4G network expansion finally picked up pace.
• 5G NSA rollout began in select cities after a significant delay.
• More focus on improving network quality in priority circles.
• The Vi app and digital experience have gradually improved.
• Many users across different parts of India have reported impressive 4G speeds. Despite being India's third-largest operator by active subscribers, Vi's 4G performance has remained surprisingly competitive in several circles.

What could have been better:

• 5G rollout still lags behind Jio and Airtel in terms of coverage.
• Network experience varies significantly depending on the circle.
• Customer losses continue to make it harder to compete at the same scale as Jio and Airtel.
• Spectrum and capital constraints still affect the pace of expansion.
• Public perception is still shaped by years of uncertainty, despite recent improvements.

Overall, I think Vi deserves credit for staying in the race despite the financial and operational challenges. At the same time, the real test isn't launching 5G....it's whether Vi can consistently improve coverage, network quality, and regain customer confidence over the next few years.

My personal opinion is that "we must protect Vi to prevent duopoly strengthening in India".

If you've been using Vi since 2024 or before that, what's improved the most for you, and what still needs the most work? Please comment your experience.

Over the last two years, Airtel has continued to strengthen its position as one of India's premium telecom operators. While the network has seen noticeable improvements, not every decision has been well received.

What improved:

• Rapid 5G expansion with good overall coverage and reliability.
• Consistently strong 4G performance, even in areas without 5G.
• Airtel Xstream Fiber (FTTH) expanded to more cities and towns.
• The Airtel Thanks app and digital self-service experience have improved significantly.
• Overall call quality and network stability remain among the best in many parts of the country.

What could have been better:

• Hotspot/tethering restrictions on 5G unlimited plans frustrated many users who occasionally shared data with laptops or tablets.
• Tariff hikes have made Airtel one of the more expensive operators.
• Airtel has started introducing consumer 5G SA capabilities, but access is currently limited to Priority Postpaid users. As a prepaid user, I can see my phone detecting the SA network in manual search, but I can't actually use it. It would be great to see Airtel eventually extend this to eligible prepaid users as well, similar to Jio's approach.
• Indoor coverage and congestion can still vary depending on the location. But too many bands.. NSA on top of it... "i personally feel that the backend structure is a mess".

Overall, I think Airtel still delivers one of the best mobile network experiences in India. At the same time, customer-friendly policies matter just as much as network quality. Expanding access to new technologies, offering more flexibility in plans, and avoiding unnecessary restrictions would go a long way toward improving the overall experience.

If you've been using Airtel since 2024, what's the biggest improvement you've noticed.....and what's one thing you still wish they'd fix?..... Please do comment your experience. Thanks..

Looking back at BSNL from 2024 to 2026, it's probably had its most eventful two years in a long time.

What improved:

• The website and self-service portals are much better than they used to be.
• FTTH has expanded to more areas, with competitive plans.
• The long-awaited 4G rollout finally gained real momentum.
• There's far more visibility around network upgrades and future plans than before.

What's still holding it back:

• The 4G rollout is still incomplete, so the experience varies a lot depending on where you are.
• Carrier Aggregation isn't widely available yet. Enabling combinations like 700 MHz + 2100 MHz on modern 5G supported devices could significantly improve speeds and spectrum utilization.
• 5G is at some distance away while private operators continue expanding their networks.
• Network consistency and indoor coverage still need improvement in many regions.
• Wi-Fi Calling support has improved, but device compatibility still isn't as broad as Jio, Vi or Airtel especially on older handsets.
• Customer support and issue resolution remain inconsistent. Tickets are not actively investigated.
• BSNL still needs to improve execution and operational efficiency to rebuild long-term customer confidence.

Overall, I think the biggest change is that BSNL finally feels like it's moving forward instead of standing still. Whether it can maintain that momentum over the next few years will be the real test.

For those who've used BSNL recently.....what has improved the most for you, and what still needs the most work? Please comment your experience...

I keep seeing people talk about 5G as if it's going to replace 4G any day now, and then 6G will come along and do the same to 5G.

Personally, I don't see that happening in India.

I think 4G is going to remain the backbone of mobile connectivity here for a very long time...probably well into mid/late 2030s.

The biggest reason isn't spectrum or technology. It's infrastructure.

People often forget that 5G isn't just "install a new antenna and you're done." Every tower needs enough backhaul to carry all that extra traffic. Ideally, that means fiber. While India has made great progress with tower fiberization, we still have a long way to go, especially outside major cities. A lot of sites still depend on microwave links, which are perfectly fine for LTE but become a bottleneck when you're trying to deliver high-capacity 5G and handling congestion.

Then there's the coverage side of things. I know the common argument: "Just deploy 5G on 700 MHz." like Jio did.

Yes, lower frequencies travel farther. But coverage isn't only about frequency. A usable 5G Standalone network still needs good signal quality, reliable synchronization, and enough capacity to actually feel like 5G. The moment you move to mid-band spectrum (where most of the speed comes from), coverage drops dramatically compared to LTE, which means more towers, more fiber, and more money.

People also forget something simple: LTE is already... good.

Most people aren't trying to download 100 GB games every day. They're watching YouTube, scrolling Instagram, making UPI payments, using WhatsApp, attending the occasional video call, and maybe streaming Netflix. A decent LTE network handles all of that without much drama...

So from an operator's perspective, why rush to replace something that's already doing the job for hundreds of millions of users?

I actually think we'll end up with a layered network instead of one generation replacing another.

- LTE for wide-area coverage.

- 5G where extra capacity is needed.

- Future 6G in dense urban areas or for specialized use cases.

That seems much more realistic than "everyone gets 6G everywhere."

What's interesting is that this isn't just an India thing.

Around the world, LTE has become the workhorse network. It's carrying everything from smartphones to IoT devices, payment terminals, smart meters, vehicles, and industrial equipment. Many operators are expected to keep LTE running well into the 2030s because replacing that ecosystem simply isn't worth the cost.

In many ways, 4G is becoming what GSM used to be a mature, reliable technology that quietly does most of the heavy lifting while newer generations grab the headlines.

So when people ask, "What happens when 6G arrives?" I don't think the answer is "4G disappears."

I think the answer is that we'll end up with three generations working together for years.

If I had to make a prediction, I'd say that even when 6G launches in India, there will still be hundreds of millions of people using LTE every single day. Not because India is "behind," but because LTE is reliable, affordable, has fantastic device support, and already solves 95% of what the average user actually needs.

Curious to hear what everyone else thinks. Is LTE going to become India's long-term coverage layer, or do you think we'll eventually reach a point where 5G completely replaces it?

Hi All, I've been testing various public DNS providers from India using DNS Benchmark and similar tools. Surprisingly, the results vary quite a bit depending on location and ISP.

So far I've tested:

• Google DNS (8.8.8.8 / 8.8.4.4)
• Cloudflare (1.1.1.1 / 1.0.0.1)
• Quad9 (9.9.9.9)
• OpenDNS
• AdGuard DNS
• Control D
• NextDNS

While benchmark results are useful, I'm more interested in actual day 2 day experience regarding:

• DNS lookup speed and latency in India
• Reliability and uptime
• CDN/geolocation accuracy (getting routed to the nearest server)
• Privacy
• Gaming performance (if you've noticed any difference)
• ISP-specific experiences (Jio, Airtel, ACT, BSNL, etc.)

For those based in India, which DNS provider have you found to be the fastest and most reliable over the long term? Have your real-world results matched what DNS Benchmark reports?

Please mention your city/ISP if you're comfortable sharing, as DNS performance can vary significantly across regions.