The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued a press release with its recommendations on “Rating of Buildings or Areas for Digital Connectivity“. This press release was issued on 20th February, 2023.
It may be recalled that TRAI had issued Consultation Paper (CP) on “Rating of Buildings or Areas for Digital Connectivity” on 25th March 2022. The paper was issued to seek inputs from stakeholders on issues raised, by 7th July 2022.
Based on the feedback from various stakeholders the recommendations of the TRAI on “Rating of Buildings or Areas for Digital Connectivity” have been finalized. The emphasis of these recommendations is on providing a framework for creation of an ecosystem for Digital Connectivity Infrastructure (DCI). This DCI will be an intrinsic part of building development plan similar to other building services such as water, electricity or Fire Safety System.
DCI is to be co-designed and cocreated along with building development through collaborations among various stakeholders including Property Managers (owner or developer or builder etc.), service providers, infrastructure providers, DCI Professionals and Authorities at various urban/local bodies. This framework shall also open job opportunities for the young professionals to become DCI Professionals and be part of Design, Deployment and Evaluation of Digital Connectivity Infrastructure.
TRAI has also proposed a new chapter on ‘Digital Connectivity Infrastructures in Buildings’ to be included in Model Building Bye Laws 2016 by modifying and updating existing provisions added in MBBL as Annexure through an Addendum to Model Building Bye Laws 2016 titled “Provisions for In- Building Solutions Digital Communication Infrastructure” issued by Town and Country Planning Organization (TCPO) of Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), in March 2022.
TRAI further emphasized that Digital Connectivity Infrastructure (DCI) developed in the Buildings by the Property Managers (Developers, Builders etc) should be accessible to all service providers in a fair, transparent, non-discriminatory and non-chargeable basis.
The recommendations also include development of framework for Rating of the buildings for digital connectivity, which will add value to the property. TRAI will come up, separately, with appropriate regulatory framework for Rating of Buildings, which will also include the issue of Rating certification.
