Jio leads in 5G performance at Maha Kumbh 2025, triumphs over Airtel: Ookla Report
By Payal Banarjee
New Delhi / Bhubaneswar, March 11: Reliance Jio dominated with excellent 5G network performance at the Maha Kumbh 2025, as per the latest report by Ookla. Jio delivered the highest 5G median download speed at 201.87 Mbps, outperforming Airtel, which had 165.23 Mbps 5G median download speed.
Even at peak congestion on January 26, Jio’s 5G speeds remained significantly higher than 4G networks. Jio also triumphed with highest 5G availability during the Maha Kumbh as Jio reported 83.9% 5G availability, nearly twice that of Airtel which reported 42.4%.
The use of 700 MHz low-band spectrum by Jio enabled broader coverage, ensuring better connectivity across the densely packed Mela grounds.
Jio also displayed enhanced user experience with 5G. Jio’s 5G page load time was significantly faster at 1.99 seconds. 5G video start time on Jio network was 1.79 seconds, reducing buffering delays and enhancing streaming experiences.
Jio also reported high network resilience during peak usage as Jio’s 5G Standalone (SA) network efficiently handled over 20 million voice calls and 400 million data service requests on peak days. Despite high mobile traffic, Jio sustained stable network performance, ensuring seamless connectivity for attendees. Jio’s extensive 5G deployment played a crucial role in maintaining uninterrupted service amidst record-breaking crowds. The operator leveraged its low-band spectrum strategy, ensuring stronger signal penetration across high-density areas.
In 4G performance, Jio also led with wide coverage and speed at the Maha Kumbh Mela Khetra. Jio’s 4G median download speed was 18.19 Mbps, ahead of Airtel with 17.65 Mbps and BSNL with 11.64 Mbps.
