Buy smart: TRAI’s proposed property ratings will help you pick homes with better wi-fi and mobile signals

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Tuesday released a draft manual outlining the methodology for rating properties on digital connectivity parameters under the “Rating of Properties for Digital Connectivity Regulations, 2024”.

The draft manual, available on TRAI’s website, is expected to standardise the assessment process for Digital Connectivity Rating Agencies (DCRAs) and serve as a reference guide for Property Managers (PMs) to plan and implement Digital Connectivity Infrastructure (DCI) in buildings.

"A property with better ratings shall attract more users, buyers or investors and thereby add value to the properties,” the regulator said.

“The draft rating manual provides a methodology to assess the digital connectivity of properties and areas across various categories. Properties shall be evaluated based on defined parameters in the regulation such as fiber readiness, mobile network availability, in-building solutions and Wi-Fi infrastructure, service performance etc," it added.

According to TRAI, the framework comes amid growing reliance on digital technologies, particularly with the rise of high-speed 4G and 5G networks. Most data consumption occurs indoors, but signal strength is often compromised due to building materials, making in-building digital infrastructure crucial.

TRAI had earlier submitted its recommendations on “Rating of Buildings or Areas for Digital Connectivity” to the government in February 2023, followed by the notification of the regulations in October 2024.

TRAI said a higher connectivity rating would add value to properties and help tenants, buyers, and investors make informed choices based on the quality of digital infrastructure.

Stakeholders have been invited to submit comments on the draft manual by June 2, 2025, and counter-comments by June 9, 2025.