TRAI updates digital connectivity rating framework for properties

MUMBAI: Dropped calls and weak signals may soon find fewer places to hide inside India’s buildings. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released the amended Rating Manual 2026 for assessing digital connectivity in properties, introducing a series of changes aimed at improving mobile and broadband experiences inside residential, commercial and public buildings. The updated framework follows amendments to the Rating of Properties for Digital Connectivity Regulations, 2024, and seeks to make the assessment of in-building connectivity more structured, transparent and future-ready.

In simple terms, the regulator wants digital connectivity to become as much a part of a building’s quality checklist as power backup, lifts or parking.

The latest manual comes after TRAI conducted awareness sessions and workshops with stakeholders, where it identified areas requiring greater clarity and refinement. To address these concerns, the regulator issued a consultation paper in February 2026, gathered industry feedback and subsequently notified the Rating of Properties for Digital Connectivity (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 in May.

The revised manual, released on Monday, incorporates those changes and takes immediate effect.

One of the most significant additions is a multi-stage assessment and certification framework for under-construction properties. This means developers can now begin evaluating digital connectivity infrastructure even before a project is completed, potentially reducing costly retrofits later.

TRAI has also introduced an optional Digital Connectivity Audit, giving property owners and managers a formal mechanism to assess and improve connectivity infrastructure within their premises.

The regulator has expanded flexibility in evaluating power infrastructure while retaining reliability standards, acknowledging that different property types may require different deployment models.

Another notable shift is the move beyond traditional Building Management Systems (BMS). The revised framework broadens the definition of monitoring infrastructure, allowing the use of centralised monitoring systems that can track and manage connectivity performance more efficiently.

The manual also adopts a technology-neutral approach, permitting both fibre-based and wireless backhaul solutions. This reflects the changing nature of telecom infrastructure, where wireless technologies are increasingly complementing traditional fibre networks.

To ensure consistency in service quality assessments, TRAI has standardised performance testing through a TRAI-designated testing application, creating a uniform methodology for evaluating connectivity across properties.

The revised framework further introduces a defined sampling methodology for assessing non-public areas, helping ensure that connectivity ratings reflect actual user experiences beyond lobbies and common spaces.

Importantly, the manual has also been aligned with the newly released National Building Construction Standards (NBCS), 2026, signalling greater integration between telecom infrastructure planning and building design norms.

The initiative is part of TRAI’s broader effort to tackle one of the most persistent frustrations of the digital age: strong connectivity outdoors but weak signals indoors. As mobile data consumption rises and buildings become denser and more complex, in-building connectivity has emerged as a critical aspect of digital infrastructure.

By formalising connectivity ratings, TRAI hopes to encourage developers, property managers and service providers to treat digital access as an essential utility rather than an afterthought.

For homebuyers, tenants and businesses, that could eventually mean a new question alongside location and amenities: not just how the building looks, but how well it connects.