Background of the Regulations
TRAI introduced the “Rating of Properties for Digital Connectivity Regulations, 2024” in October 2024 to establish a structured framework for assessing properties. The framework promotes collaboration among property managers, service providers, and Digital Connectivity Rating Agencies (DCRAs). To operationalize the regulations, TRAI issued a detailed Rating Manual in August 2025, outlining roles, responsibilities, rating methodologies, and procedures for certification and appeals.
Since then, TRAI has conducted awareness sessions with stakeholders. Feedback from these sessions highlighted the need for refinements to improve transparency, address practical challenges, and ensure alignment with real-world conditions.
Key Proposals in the Consultation Paper
- Expanded Rating Scale: The current five-star rating system will be refined by introducing half-star levels, expanding the scale to nine levels. This aims to better differentiate properties with varying connectivity performance, especially near threshold values.
- Design-Stage Certification: Recognizing that many properties are marketed during construction, TRAI proposes a design-stage assessment mechanism. This will allow under-construction properties to be evaluated, while final ratings will still be awarded post-completion to maintain integrity.
- Realignment of Property Categories: Certain property types will be reclassified between Category ‘A’ and Category ‘B’ to better reflect usage patterns and connectivity requirements.
- Optional Digital Connectivity Audit: Property managers may opt for a preliminary audit by registered DCRAs to assess current infrastructure and make improvements before applying for formal ratings. This ensures that public ratings reflect enhanced readiness.
Stakeholder Participation
TRAI has invited written comments and suggestions from stakeholders and telecom consumers. Submissions can be made via the TRAI website or emailed to adv-qos1@trai.gov.in with a copy to ja.qos1@trai.gov.in by March 23, 2026.
