Nearly 80 pc smartphone users experience call drops on highways: Report
New Delhi, June 4
Nearly eight in 10 smartphone users, or 79 per cent of users, experience call drops or connectivity interruptions while travelling on Indian highways, a report said on Thursday.
The report from CyberMedia Research (CMR) said the survey of 2,000 smartphone users aged 18-35 across New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kolkata found disruptions are impacting working professionals both financially and emotionally.
"India has made real progress in expanding mobile coverage, yet consistent connectivity remains a challenge in everyday environments - highways, metros, and indoor low‑signal zones," said Prabhu Ram, VP - Industry Research Group, CMR.
Among respondents who use their phone for business, 64 per cent said they lost a sales opportunity or client deal due to a call drop.
Two in three respondents said they had lost a client they believed was affected by signal performance, the report added.
Around 83 per cent respondents said call drops during important conversations left them feeling anxious or helpless.
Further, 71 per cent respondents had to call a customer back after a dropped call which many felt damaged their professional image.
The report said that smartphone design may shape connectivity in challenging mobility environments.
Among frequent highway travellers using a smartphone with triple-signal chipset technology (POVA Series), 81 per cent said they reported an improved signal experience after switching devices.
Around 74 per cent reported a more reliable calling experience during highway travel and 72 per cent reported faster signal recovery after passing through weak-coverage areas.
Another report from CMR had said India's smartphone market posted its weakest quarterly performance in recent years as shipments eased 2 per cent year‑on‑year in Q1 2026, due to rising DRAM and NAND flash prices.
The rise in memory prices forced device price increases and prompted many price‑sensitive consumers to defer upgrades.
— IANS
Reader Comments
This is a very valid issue. I use my phone for business calls and highway travel is a nightmare. What's the point of expanding coverage if the quality remains so poor? Jio and Airtel need to focus on consistent connectivity, not just numbers.
I switched to a POVA phone recently and honestly the signal is better on highways compared to my old Samsung. But still, why should we have to buy specific phones just to get basic call connectivity? The government should regulate telecom operators better. 📱
The emotional toll is real. I felt so helpless when my call dropped during an interview with a potential employer while I was traveling to Bangalore. Missed the opportunity. 😔 India's digital infrastructure still has a long way to go.
True that! Even in metros like Mumbai and Delhi, indoor signal is pathetic in many areas. I live on the 15th floor and have to stand near the window to make calls. Highway issue is just the tip of the iceberg. 🚗📉
I'm a sales rep and I travel extensively on highways. This report is bang on - I've definitely lost deals because of call drops. But honestly, the blame is not just on telecom companies. The terrain in many parts of India makes it tough. They need to install more towers along highways.
M We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.