TRAI Issues Digital Connectivity Rating Amendment Regulations 2026
Key Highlights
·
Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released the “Rating of Properties
for Digital Connectivity (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (3 of 2026)” on 13 May 2026.
·
The amendments are based on stakeholder consultations, implementation experience,
and feedback received on the Digital Connectivity Rating framework introduced in
2024.
·
TRAI had issued a consultation paper on 27 February 2026 seeking suggestions
on proposed amendments to the regulations and Rating Manual.
·
Feedback was received from:
o Property managers
o Digital Connectivity Rating Agencies (DCRAs)
o Telecom service providers
o Other stakeholders
Major Amendments Introduced
1. Expansion of Star Rating Levels
·
TRAI expanded the digital connectivity rating scale from 5 levels to 9 levels
by introducing additional half-star ratings.
·
The revised framework aims to:
o Improve differentiation between properties
o Reflect incremental improvements in connectivity
infrastructure
o Help consumers compare properties more
effectively
2. Rating System for Under-Construction
Properties
·
Under-construction residential and commercial properties are now eligible
for digital connectivity assessment and certification.
·
A phased evaluation mechanism has been introduced:
o Design Stage: DCRA evaluates approved Digital Connectivity
Infrastructure (DCI) plans and issues a “Designed For” certificate.
o Implementation Stage: After installation of In-Building Solutions
(IBS), DCRA issues an “Installation Completed For” certificate.
o Final Stage: Final rating awarded after telecom services
become operational.
·
The move aims to:
o Improve transparency for buyers
o Encourage early integration of telecom
infrastructure
o Strengthen accountability between design
and implementation
3. Refinement of Property Categories
·
Certain property classifications have been revised to better align assessment
methodologies with actual usage and connectivity requirements.
·
The refinement seeks to improve clarity and applicability of evaluation standards.
4. Introduction of Optional Digital Connectivity
Audit
·
Existing properties can now undergo a voluntary digital connectivity audit
before applying for a formal rating.
·
Property managers can engage registered DCRAs to:
o Assess current infrastructure status
o Identify connectivity gaps
o Recommend improvements
·
The audit will provide sub-criteria-wise assessment reports to encourage
proactive infrastructure enhancement.
5. Stronger Code of Conduct for DCRAs
·
TRAI strengthened independence and transparency provisions for Digital Connectivity
Rating Agencies.
·
A DCRA engaged in providing Digital Connectivity Infrastructure cannot assess
properties where another DCRA has implemented the infrastructure.
6. Adoption of NBCS 2026 References
·
References to the National Building Code (NBC) 2016 have been replaced with:
o Bureau of Indian Standards National Building
Construction Standards (NBCS) 2026
Applicability of Regulations
·
The regulations apply to:
o Property managers
o Digital Connectivity Rating Agencies (DCRAs)
o In-Building Solution (IBS) providers
o Telecom service providers integrating
networks with building infrastructure
Objectives of the Amendments
·
Enhance implementation clarity
·
Improve transparency and accountability
·
Promote wider stakeholder participation
·
Encourage future-ready and non-discriminatory digital connectivity infrastructure
·
Strengthen adoption of digital connectivity standards across properties
·
The revised Rating Manual incorporating these amendments will also be published
on TRAI’s website.
·
The amended regulations came into force from 13 May 2026.
<Amendments
to the Regulations>
[ABS News Service/15.05.2026]
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released the ‘Rating of
Properties for Digital Connectivity (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (3 of 2026)’ on
13th May 2026.
TRAI had issued a Consultation Paper on 27th February 2026 seeking stakeholder
inputs on certain proposed amendments to the Rating of Properties for Digital Connectivity
Regulations, 2024 and the Rating Manual, based on implementation experience. During
the course of implementation, stakeholder interactions, and capacity-building exercises,
TRAI received feedback from Property Managers, Digital Connectivity Rating Agencies
(DCRAs), service providers, and other stakeholders regarding certain practical aspects
of implementation. These included issues relating to differentiation of rating levels,
assessment of under-construction properties, categorisation of property types, and
the need to enable property managers of existing properties to assess digital connectivity
infrastructure prior to applying for formal ratings.
Based on stakeholder comments, implementation experience, and further analysis,
the following key amendments and refinements have been incorporated into the Regulations:
i) Additional ‘Star’ Rating Levels: The rating framework has been refined
by introducing additional half-star levels, thereby expanding the rating scale from
five to nine levels. This refinement will enable better differentiation among properties,
provide greater visibility to incremental improvements in digital connectivity infrastructure
and service performance, and help consumers make more informed comparisons between
properties.
ii) Under-Construction Properties Eligible to Apply for Ratings: A large proportion of residential and
commercial properties are marketed and sold during the construction phase itself.
To enable consumers to have visibility into the level of digital connectivity infrastructure
(DCI) planned for under-construction properties, the rating framework has been strengthened
through a phased assessment mechanism.
Under the revised framework, the DCRA shall evaluate the design-stage DCI
based on approved DCI design documents and declarations submitted by the property
manager and issue an evaluation report along with a ‘Designed For’ certificate for
the property. Thereafter, upon completion of construction and installation of In-Building
Solutions (IBS), the DCRA shall evaluate the implementation of DCI in the property
and issue an evaluation report along with an ‘Installation Completed For’ certificate.
Finally, the DCRA shall undertake evaluation and award the ‘Final’ rating after
the digital connectivity services become operational.
These measures are expected to improve transparency during the construction
phase, encourage early integration of digital connectivity infrastructure in building
design, and strengthen accountability between design commitments and actual implementation.
iii) Alignment of Property Types with Assessment Criteria: The categorisation of certain property
types has been refined to improve alignment between property usage characteristics
and applicable assessment methodologies. These refinements are intended to improve
clarity, ensure more appropriate applicability of assessment criteria, and better
reflect actual digital connectivity requirements across different property types.
iv) Optional Digital Connectivity Audit: It was observed that certain property
managers of existing properties may wish to first evaluate the existing status of
digital connectivity infrastructure in their properties, identify gaps, and undertake
improvements before applying for a formal rating. In view of this, an Optional Digital
Connectivity Audit has been introduced.
Under this mechanism, property managers may engage a registered DCRA to undertake
an audit of the existing Digital Connectivity Infrastructure without entering into
the formal rating process. The audit report will provide a sub-criteria-wise assessment
of the existing status of digital connectivity infrastructure along with areas requiring
improvement. This mechanism is expected to encourage proactive enhancement of digital
connectivity infrastructure and support wider adoption of the Digital Connectivity
Rating framework.
v) Revision in Code of Conduct for DCRAs: The Code of Conduct for DCRAs has been
strengthened to further reinforce independence and transparency in assessments.
It has also been clarified that any DCRA engaged in the business of providing Digital
Connectivity Infrastructure (DCI) shall not undertake digital connectivity assessment
of properties where another DCRA has provided the DCI.
vi) Incorporation of References to National Building Construction Standards
(NBCS), 2026: The Bureau of Indian
Standards (BIS) has issued the National Building Construction Standards (NBCS),
2026, revising the earlier National Building Code (NBC), 2016. Accordingly, references
to the NBC have been substituted with NBCS.
The Regulations shall apply to property managers seeking rating or audit
of properties for digital connectivity, Digital Connectivity Rating Agencies, In-Building
Solution Providers establishing IBS within properties, and service providers integrating
their telecommunication networks with the digital communication infrastructure,
including IBS, of the properties for provision of telecommunication services.
The above amendments and refinements are aimed at enhancing clarity, improving
implementation, strengthening transparency and accountability, facilitating wider
participation of relevant stakeholders, and promoting robust, future-ready, and
non-discriminatory digital connectivity infrastructure across properties, while
preserving the core principles and objectives of the Digital Connectivity Rating
framework.
The revised Rating Manual, incorporating the above amendments and refinements
arising from stakeholder consultations and implementation experience, shall also
be published on the TRAI website.
The amendments to the Regulations have been placed on TRAI’s website (www.trai.gov.in) and shall come into force with effect
from 13th May 2026.
For additional queries, please contact: Shri Tejpal Singh, Advisor (QoS-1)
E-mail: adv-qos1@trai.gov.in | Tel: +91-11-20907759