Why Does a Call Drop? Common Reasons Behind and Compensation Provision?

Last Updated on September 15, 2026

Have you ever noticed that the call has abruptly disconnected without you or the receiver hanging up? Surely, it’s annoying and frustrating. And for a while, you may blame the other user for ending the call, but what if that’s not the case? In telecom terms, it’s a call drop. And you may blame the network for it, but again, there are several reasons why a call suddenly disconnects. This post guides you through why call drops happen.

In simple words, why do call drops happen?

A call drop happens when an ongoing phone call gets disconnected suddenly before either caller ends it. Usually, it is caused by weak network coverage, while in other cases, congestion, mobility between cell towers, or even your phone can be responsible.

Here are some common reasons why your calls may drop.

Reasons behind call drops

1. Weak mobile network coverage

One of the most common reasons for call drops is weak network coverage.

Mobile phones need a consistently stable connection with a nearby cell tower to maintain a call. But when you are inside a building with thick concrete walls, underground, in a remote area, or somewhere surrounded by hills, the phone may struggle to maintain a strong signal. Being too far away from the cell tower also affects the call, due to the poor signal coverage.

When the signal indicator on your phone shows only one or two bars, it’s telling you that the tower nearby is not able to serve you due to your location. But it’s also true that having fewer signal bars doesn’t necessarily mean poor network strength. But it’s one factor to keep in mind.

If you find yourself in such a place, chances are that your cellular call will result in distorted voice or disruption.

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2. Moving from one tower to another

Your phone call connects because your phone is latched to one particular tower (BTS) at a time. But when you are travelling during a call, your phone may need to switch its connection from one mobile tower to another.

This process is called handover. The process is automatic and happens without you noticing. For example, you may be talking on the phone while inside a bus or any vehicle. When your phone connects to the other nearby tower, the transition is usually smooth. However, if the next tower doesn’t have good coverage, your call drops.

3. Too many people using the network

Mobile networks become busy when many people use them at the same time. This happens especially in crowded areas like cities, concerts, festivals, fairs, protests (sic), marketplaces, etc. Let’s add emergency situations when a large number of people have to use telecom services at the same time.

So, when the network is occupied, it can’t serve everyone. Calls become difficult to process and complete, resulting in call drops.

4. Indoor coverage can be weaker

Mobile coverage is likely to be worse in indoor conditions. Radio waves don’t travel properly through concrete walls, aquariums, glass, metal, etc. In basements too, mobile signals don’t work as strongly. So, if you place a call from such areas, always expect that the call may suffer in quality or even drop abruptly.

5. Switching between 4G, 3G and other networks

When your phone switches between different networks, call drops may happen too. Depending on the location and availability, your phone’s system looks for the best possible network available. In places where networks are inconsistent, you will face this issue. If the network transition is not smooth, calls drop.

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6. Your phone can also be the problem

It may not always be a network-related factor either. Sometimes, it can be an old phone, SIM, software issue, etc., behind call drops. Therefore, if others are able to place calls without an issue in the exact same location but you are having problems, it’s worth taking your phone for a checkup.

7. Network maintenance or technical problems

Operators carry out maintenance and upgrade equipment from time to time. During such hours, calls become difficult. Telcos do notify users of the timing of maintenance work. And during these times, calls, data, and SMS services may not be smooth.  

What can you do if your calls keep dropping?

If you frequently experience dropped calls, you can try a few simple things:

• >Move to a location with better signal, such as near a window or outdoors.
• >Check whether other people are experiencing the same problem.
• >Toggle flight/airplane mode and switch back to normal mode to see if calls work.
• >Restart your phone as it might solve the case too.
• >Update your phone’s software if available.
• >If calls frequently drop in different locations, contact your mobile operator and report the problem.

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Provision against call drops

To save customer from irritating call drops, there was a provision of compensation for call drops in Nepal. The regulator, Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA)’s Telecom Service Quality Bylaw used to have a provision such that operators need to provide the cost of the total pulse of a call made to users in case a call drops due to a network issue. The fund is to be deposited into the user’s mobile balance. However, the provision could not come into effect.

But as mentioned above, a dropped call is not attributable to network issues. An old phone, the state of the antenna inside the phone, SIM issues, the phone’s software, etc., could be the reasons behind call disruption too.

FAQs on Call Drops in Nepal