New Delhi, Sep 25 The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) on Friday launched an integrated Digital Connectivity Rating (DCR) platform and a dedicated mobile application to assess and certify in-building mobile and internet connectivity across residential, commercial, and government properties.
The platform is designed to standardise the assessment of indoor network performance, enabling prospective buyers and tenants to evaluate digital readiness prior to purchasing or leasing properties. It brings property managers, digital connectivity rating agencies, and consumers on to a common digital interface, Trai said in a statement.
The rating methodology evaluates properties on parameters such as fibre readiness, mobile network availability, in-building connectivity solutions, and Wi-Fi infrastructure, with weighted scores allocated based on availability and signal strength of multiple telecom service providers within the building.
Consumers can search for rated properties by name, certificate ID or location, compare them and verify their digitally signed rating certificates through a QR code.
Trai Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti said the platform would empower consumers with credible and comparable information by making ratings publicly searchable.
“It will help them make more informed choices about homes and offices with strong and reliable connectivity, supporting smoother calls, downloads and access to online services,” he said.
Lahoti added that the platform would also encourage property managers to plan digital connectivity infrastructure at the appropriate stage of property development
Speaking to reporters following the launch, he said the framework would initially operate on a voluntary basis, likening its adoption trajectory to that of green building certifications, which gained widespread acceptance over time as market awareness expanded.
Highlighting the consumer challenge, Lahoti observed that buyers often invest between Rs 5 crore and Rs 10 crore in properties only to discover poor or non-existent indoor network coverage.
He noted that the availability of public ratings would incentivise developers to incorporate robust digital infrastructure right from the architectural design and construction stages.
Addressing potential concerns over market competition, the regulator clarified that the framework prohibits exclusive tie-ups between property developers and telecom service providers.
On the commercial cost of certification, Lahoti said Trai would not regulate prices directly. While registered rating agencies are mandated to publish their ceiling rates on the portal to maintain transparency, actual charges will be determined through market competition and bilateral negotiations between property managers and the rating agencies.
A total of 23 accredited Digital Connectivity Rating Agencies (DCRAs), 11 property managers, and 7 properties have been registered on the platform as of now.
To ensure accountability, the platform maintains a comprehensive digital audit trail. Occupants who find an assigned rating unsatisfactory or inaccurate will be able to raise objections and seek a formal review. Under the regulations, Trai can suspend or penalise registrations that fail to adhere to prescribed standards.
(PTI News)
