TRAI Revises Digital Connectivity Rating Regulations 2026

18 May 2026 CW Team

Among the principal amendments, TRAI refined the rating framework by introducing additional half-star levels, expanding the scale from five to nine levels. The regulator indicated the refinement will enable finer differentiation among properties, provide greater visibility to incremental improvements in digital connectivity infrastructure and service performance and help consumers make more informed comparisons.

The revisions allow under-construction properties to be evaluated through a phased assessment mechanism so that design commitments can be matched with implementation. A digital connectivity rating agency (DCRA) will evaluate design-stage DCI on the basis of approved design documents and declarations from the property manager and will issue an evaluation report with a Designed For certificate. After completion of construction and installation of in-building solutions (IBS), the DCRA will issue an Installation Completed For certificate and will undertake evaluation to award a final rating once digital connectivity services become operational. TRAI indicated these steps are expected to improve transparency during construction and strengthen accountability between design and implementation.

The amendments also refine categorisation of property types to align assessment methodologies with usage characteristics, aiming to ensure appropriate applicability of criteria. An Optional Digital Connectivity Audit has been introduced to enable property managers of existing properties to engage a registered DCRA for a sub-criteria-wise assessment of existing DCI without entering the formal rating process and to identify areas requiring improvement.

The Code of Conduct for DCRAs has been strengthened to reinforce independence and transparency and clarifies that a DCRA engaged in providing DCI shall not assess properties where it supplied the infrastructure. References to the National Building Construction Standards, 2026 have been incorporated, the revised Rating Manual will be published on TRAI's website, and the amendments are in force from 13 May 2026.

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India released the Rating of Properties for Digital Connectivity (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (3 of 2026) on 13 May 2026 following a consultation paper published on 27 February 2026. TRAI said it received feedback from property managers, digital connectivity rating agencies, service providers and other stakeholders during implementation and capacity building exercises concerning practical aspects of assessing digital connectivity infrastructure (DCI). Among the principal amendments, TRAI refined the rating framework by introducing additional half-star levels, expanding the scale from five to nine levels. The regulator indicated the refinement will enable finer differentiation among properties, provide greater visibility to incremental improvements in digital connectivity infrastructure and service performance and help consumers make more informed comparisons. The revisions allow under-construction properties to be evaluated through a phased assessment mechanism so that design commitments can be matched with implementation. A digital connectivity rating agency (DCRA) will evaluate design-stage DCI on the basis of approved design documents and declarations from the property manager and will issue an evaluation report with a Designed For certificate. After completion of construction and installation of in-building solutions (IBS), the DCRA will issue an Installation Completed For certificate and will undertake evaluation to award a final rating once digital connectivity services become operational. TRAI indicated these steps are expected to improve transparency during construction and strengthen accountability between design and implementation. The amendments also refine categorisation of property types to align assessment methodologies with usage characteristics, aiming to ensure appropriate applicability of criteria. An Optional Digital Connectivity Audit has been introduced to enable property managers of existing properties to engage a registered DCRA for a sub-criteria-wise assessment of existing DCI without entering the formal rating process and to identify areas requiring improvement. The Code of Conduct for DCRAs has been strengthened to reinforce independence and transparency and clarifies that a DCRA engaged in providing DCI shall not assess properties where it supplied the infrastructure. References to the National Building Construction Standards, 2026 have been incorporated, the revised Rating Manual will be published on TRAI's website, and the amendments are in force from 13 May 2026.

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