The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued the Manual for Rating of Properties for Digital Connectivity, the first standardised national framework for evaluating in-building digital infrastructure. With over 80% of mobile data consumed indoors, and high-frequency 4G and 5G signals often obstructed by modern building materials, the quality of indoor connectivity directly impacts user experience

The manual introduces a comprehensive and uniform assessment methodology for evaluating how well properties are equipped for digital access. It provides a structured reference for Digital Connectivity Rating Agencies (DCRAs) to carry out fair, transparent, and credible ratings of properties across the country. For developers, property managers, and service providers, the manual serves as a practical guide to plan, install, and maintain Digital Connectivity Infrastructure (DCI) that is future-ready and resilient to technological upgrades.

The rating system has been designed to measure connectivity on multiple parameters, including fibre readiness, in-building mobile coverage, Wi-Fi coverage, broadband speeds, and overall quality of user experience. These benchmarks ensure that consumers, tenants, and businesses can rely on ratings as an accurate reflection of a property’s digital readiness, much like they already consider amenities such as electricity, water, or security. By making this information transparent, the manual enables market-driven incentives, where better connectivity translates into higher consumer confidence and potentially greater property value.

Further, the manual encourages real estate developers to incorporate robust digital infrastructure at the planning and construction stage itself rather than treating it as a post-construction add-on. This proactive integration is expected to reduce costs in the long run, avoid service disruptions, and ensure sustainable digital growth. At the same time, TRAI has refined definitions, simplified assessment criteria, and provided clear implementation guidelines based on stakeholder feedback to remove ambiguities that might otherwise burden developers or rating agencies.

In essence, the manual elevates digital connectivity to the status of essential infrastructure, positioning it alongside electricity and water as a basic necessity. By ensuring that every property is assessed against uniform standards, TRAI aims to promote inclusivity, empower buyers with transparent information, and accelerate India’s broader Digital India vision of equitable digital access for all.