TRAI Unveils Consultation Paper for Property Digital Connectivity Ratings
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has launched a Consultation Paper to review the ‘Rating of Properties for Digital Connectivity Regulations, 2024’. This initiative comes in response to the growing significance of digital connectivity in enhancing modern living and economic transactions.
With rapid digitalisation shaping governance, education, and commerce over the past decade, the need for robust digital infrastructure has never been more pressing. Studies reveal that a substantial portion of data consumption happens within buildings, a challenge magnified by the introduction of higher frequency technologies like 4G and 5G, which are susceptible to signal loss through walls and construction materials. Therefore, the quality of in-building digital connectivity is crucial for enhancing user experience and ensuring satisfactory service quality.
Framework for Digital Connectivity
To tackle these pivotal issues, TRAI had previously released the ‘Rating of Properties for Digital Connectivity Regulations, 2024’ on October 25, 2024, designed to evaluate properties based on their readiness for digital connectivity. This framework aims to foster cooperation among property managers, digital connectivity rating agencies (DCRAs), service providers, and other stakeholders to enhance transparency and accountability within the sector.
On August 13, 2025, TRAI introduced the Rating Manual, which serves as the operational guide for the Digital Connectivity Rating framework. The manual delineates the responsibilities of various stakeholders, outlines the rating methodology, assessment stages, and provides detailed procedures for rating applications, evaluations, certifications, and renewal processes.
Seeking Stakeholder Input
Following several awareness sessions with stakeholders, TRAI identified key areas in the existing framework that require revision to improve clarity and practicality. These adjustments aim to enhance transparency for consumers and facilitate property managers and DCRAs in effective implementation, while preserving the core principles of the framework.
One significant proposed enhancement involves refining the current Five-Star rating system. The new proposal suggests introducing half-star increments, broadening the rating scale from five to nine distinct levels, thereby providing a more nuanced differentiation in properties’ digital connectivity performance.
Moreover, the consultation paper addresses the burgeoning trend of marketing properties during their construction phase, highlighting the need for a design-stage assessment and certification mechanism for such properties. This addition aims to maintain the integrity of the final Digital Connectivity Rating, which will still be awarded upon completion of construction and subsequent evaluations.
Realignment of Property Categories
TRAI has also noted discrepancies in how property types are categorized under the existing regulations, which may not accurately reflect usage patterns or digital connectivity needs. To enhance the relevance and efficiency of the assessment framework, realignment of selected property types between Categories A and B has been proposed.
Another suggestion, prompted by input from property managers, is the introduction of an Optional Digital Connectivity Audit mechanism. This would allow property managers to assess the existing Digital Connectivity Infrastructure (DCI) in their buildings before seeking formal ratings, thereby facilitating improvements in digital connectivity prior to public ratings.
The consultation paper is available on TRAI’s website at www.trai.gov.in, inviting stakeholder comments and suggestions. Written feedback is requested by March 23, 2026, either through the website or via email at [email protected], with a copy to [email protected]. For any inquiries, interested parties may contact Shri Tejpal Singh at the provided email or phone number.
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