The Forum of Indian Regulators (FoIR) in collaboration with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) today organised an online interactive session on the Framework for Rating of Properties on Digital Connectivity.

The session, attended by FoIR Members along with senior representatives from Insolvency & Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI), Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), Competition Commission of India (CCI), State Electricity Regulatory Commissions  (SERCs), Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India (AERA), provided a platform to share knowledge and exchange perspectives on mainstreaming digital connectivity infrastructure in real estate and infrastructure planning in the country across different sectors. More than 80 senior officers from FoIR and other organisations participated in the online session.

The session began with the inaugural address by Shri Ravi Mital, Honorary Chairperson, FoIR & Chairman, IBBI. He emphasised that robust digital connectivity is now a foundational requirement across all sectors viz. finance, education, transport, housing, healthcare and beyond. He commended TRAI for bringing forward the Rating of Properties for Digital Connectivity Regulations, 2024 and underlined the importance of cross-sectoral collaboration among regulators to embed digital connectivity readiness into planning and governance frameworks.

This was followed by the address of Shri Anil Kumar Lahoti, Chairperson, TRAI, who highlighted that over 70-80% of mobile data traffic in India is consumed indoors, yet coverage gaps still persist in many premises. With the adoption of advanced technologies like 5G, indoor connectivity requires planning of Digital Connectivity Infrastructure (DCI), including fibre entry, ducting, cable trays, rooftop access, Wi-Fi readiness and resilience, as part of core infrastructure planning, similar to electricity and water supply.

Chairperson, TRAI, further informed participants that TRAI had notified the Regulations, 2024 introducing a voluntary star-rating system for properties and had released the Manual for Assessment of Digital Connectivity on 13 August 2025, to guide evaluations. He added that TRAI has already registered eight Digital Connectivity Rating Agencies (DCRAs) to operationalise this framework, with more applications under review.

During the technical session, Shri Tejpal Singh, Advisor (QoS-I), TRAI, delivered a detailed presentation on the digital connectivity rating framework and progress on its operationalisation. The presentation highlighted methodology and rating parameters such as fibre readiness, indoor signal strength, mobile and wired network availability, Wi-Fi enablement and resilience of connectivity infrastructure.

This engagement is part of TRAI’s ongoing outreach with stakeholders to raise awareness and promote adoption of its digital connectivity rating framework in line with national priorities such as Digital India and the Smart Cities Mission.

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Samrat/Allen

(Release ID: 2160590)