Reliance Jio Emerges As Top Performer In 5G Connectivity At Maha Kumbh 2025

Prayagraj: Reliance Jio has emerged as the top performer in providing 5G connectivity at the recently concluded Maha Kumbh 2025, the world's largest religious gathering. According to a report by Ookla, Jio's 5G availability was nearly double that of its closest competitor with an impressive 83.5% 5G network availability. With the latest feat, the Reliance Jio showcased a remarkable display of technological prowess, 

As per reports, Jio's 5G Standalone (SA) network played a pivotal role in its success, handling 20 million voice calls and 400 million data requests during peak times. The deployment of 5G SA, particularly on Jio's 700 MHz spectrum, contributed to broader coverage and improved network responsiveness. On the other hand, Airtel's 5G NSA, operating on mid-band frequencies, provided high speeds in select locations, but failed to match Jio's overall performance.

Reliance Jio's dominance extended beyond 5G, with the company also leading in 4G performance. Jio delivered a median 4G download speed of 18.19 Mbps, surpassing the speed of other networks. Notably, even during peak congestion on January 26, Jio's 5G speeds maintained a clear advantage over 4G networks, demonstrating its superior network capacity.

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The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) had directed telecom operators to undertake extensive infrastructure improvements during Mahakumbh. In response, Jio and Airtel invested heavily in upgrading their networks. According to Ookla, in Prayagraj, 328 new towers were installed, 575 Base Transceiver Stations (BTS) were deployed, and 1,462 existing BTS units were upgraded. The event, which drew over 66 crore devotees by its conclusion, placed unprecedented demand on mobile networks, as attendees relied on their devices for communication, navigation, and digital transactions.

As per the reports, Bharti Airtel, India's second-largest telecom provider, also took steps to improve its connectivity during Mahakumbh. To meet the growing demand, Airtel added 287 new sites, optimised over 340 existing sites, and laid an additional 74 km of fiber in Prayagraj. 

Experts stated that as India continues to adopt 5G technology, Jio's superior network capacity and coverage will likely give it an advantage in the market.