Source: ETV Bharat ( http://bit.ly/45Wxubm )

In an important step toward a complete digital transformation of the built environment in India, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has published a draft manual to standardise the rating of real properties for digital connectivity. Telecom expert emphasised that digital connectivity ratings will push property owners to upgrade infrastructure, boosting informed decisions and property value.

The TRAI initiative announced on May 13, 2025, through the “Rating of Properties for Digital Connectivity Regulations, 2024” could change how Indians purchase, rent, or invest in real estate by centring the quality of the internet as a main criterion for determining multiple aspects of these transactions.

As TRAI explains, the new rating manual will provide a complete remediation landscape to rate the digital connectivity infrastructure of residential and commercial properties, including parameters to evaluate properties, for example, fibre readiness, mobile networks, in-building solutions, Wi-Fi infrastructure, and overall service performance. The aim is to motivate property owners and developers to invest in maximum robust digital infrastructure, while providing consumers with reliable data for decision making.

Connectivity as a Core Urban Utility

This is an appropriate and necessary move. In the current hyper-connected world we operate in, the availability of digital connectivity has moved from being a mere luxury to being a fundamental utility of government.

Boosting India’s Digital and Urban Ambitions

India’s digital ambitions cannot be separated from the physical spaces in which people live and work. From telemedicine and online education to e-commerce and financial inclusion, digital services hinge on stable and high-speed internet connectivity. TRAI’s move aligns well with the government’s larger goals around smart cities, Digital India, and inclusive urban growth.