Digital Inside: In-building connectivity infrastructure emerges as a key utility service

This is an age of data deluge. Whatever we do, whichever way we turn, mostly it is about data, data and more data. The average monthly mobile data usage per user in India has risen from about 0.25 GB in September 2016 to almost 18 GB in December 2023 – a 72-fold increase. Fixed line penetration is also rising from a very low base to hopefully closer to India’s peer nations and it is well known that fixed connections lead to 10-15x data consumption compared to mobile. These would naturally be inside buildings. Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited has already noted 189 GB data consumption per fibre-to-the-x connection.

Data usage within buildings

Data services and applications have indeed become the lifeblood of modern living and we need them ubiquitously and incessantly. Video-on-demand and app services continue to increase exponentially, even in rural areas, and the resolution of videos continues to rise. High definition (HD) video streaming requires more bandwidth. Typically, SD requires 2-3 Mbps, 720p HD requires 5-10 Mbps and 4K Ultra HD requires 25 Mbps. The need for connectivity is further heightened by the proliferation and use of internet of things (IoT) devices everywhere in buildings and built-up areas. Thus, the availability of digital infrastructure everywhere has become the golden key to enabling the benefits of a digital economy and information society. When we think of data, the aspects that most think of immediately are the mobile network, mobile data plan, consumption, etc. Little do we realise that notwithstanding the niche role and importance of the mobile phone and mobility, as much as 85 per cent of the data traffic and 70 per cent of the voice traffic happens within buildings and built-up environments, as, per the Digital Infrastructure Providers Association. This could rise to as much as 90-95 per cent in the near future, with the adoption of advanced 5G and 6G applications. This heavily underscores the criticality of the quality of in-building digital infrastructure and connectivity, that is, digital connectivity infrastructure (DCI). However, disproportionately less time and attention are paid to the planning and setting up of in-building infrastructure. It is also a fact that the current quality experienced by consumers in built-up environments, especially with the advancement to higher Gs and higher spectrum frequencies, is not anywhere near the desired level. The consumer surely deserves a better deal.

What is DCI?

Digital connectivity is now a vital utility, akin to electricity and water. DCI-ready buildings must embrace this reality, offering occupants comprehensive and advanced connectivity infrastructure. Built on a user-centric approach, buildings must prioritise seamless connectivity, interoperability and accessibility to diverse digital services. Key attributes include high speed broadband connectivity for efficient internet access and widespread wireless coverage to eliminate dead zones; in-building solutions such as distributed antenna systems, small cells and Wi-Fi access points for robust wireless connectivity; interoperability supporting seamless communication across devices; regular maintenance and upgrades by the property manager/service providers to keep up with evolving technology; certified DCI equipment meeting prescribed quality and interoperability standards; user-centric design for optimal coverage and performance; and compliance with regulations and building codes for transparency and quality.

Economic benefit of DCI

Apart from the angle of providing consumers a good quality of experience indoors, it should be noted that good digital infrastructure inside buildings is extremely important from the point of view of economic development. It is a well-established finding of various World Bank studies that a 10 per cent increase in broadband penetration results in a 1.4 per cent GDP growth. This is a very significant level and is, of course, the average from studies in many countries. However, an India-specific study by ICRIER, a reputed Indian research organisation, has established that every 10 per cent increase in internet traffic delivers a 3.1 per cent increase in GDP per capita and that a 10 per cent increase in investment in telecom infrastructure will increase GDP by 3.3 per cent. A recent study by three eminent IIMA professors found that the economic impact of over-the-top (OTT) apps is as high as 12 per cent of the GDP on a very conservative basis. With 85 per cent of data consumption taking place indoors, the economic impact of in-building connectivity warrants much more attention than it has been heretofore given.

Collaboration through neutral host for robust connectivity 

To enable good digital connectivity, suitable information and communications technology systems and physical infrastructure would have to be optimally designed and installed inside buildings and complexes. This could include suitable common ducts, optimum cable routing layout, quality optical fibre cable, power circuits, protection, safety, grounding and environmental aspects of the communications equipment, etc. One would necessarily have to cater to consumers being able to have their preferences in terms of service providers. This is a natural aspect of competition and consumer choice. Hence, building/property owners should take care not to limit consumer choice by giving an exclusive connectivity contract to any particular service provider unless the latter permits other service providers to also connect to their base infrastructure or platform in a non-discriminating manner. Alternatively, the base infrastructure could be provided by an infrastructure provider who is not a service provider. Essentially, therefore, it is critical that the provided infrastructure is a neutral DCI. The Department of Telecommunications issued an order on July 27, 2023, which stipulates that “the licensee (service provider) shall not enter into any exclusive contract for establishing public network to provide public telecom services or right-of-way with any public entity (for example, any state or central government body or authority) or any person (any individual, company or association or body of individuals)”. Clearly, therefore, the connectivity system must be on a neutral host platform.

Quality competition through rating of building connectivity

With the rising importance of good connectivity in modern-day living, one could use a connectivity quality rating of buildings to improve the quality delivered to consumers by instilling the spirit of competition among property developers. This could have the same status as the Leeds rating for energy and GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment).

The main point that should be understood by all purchasers and prospective tenants of apartments is that good connectivity and choice of service providers is their right and that they should demand suitable collaborative actions by building owners/developers and service providers.

By providing good connectivity, developers and property owners can hope to increase the value of their property, apart from having more satisfied customers. There is a documented reference of 10-15 per cent increase in rentals by giving tenants an enhanced experience in buildings, which are technology enabled, apart from 25 per cent savings in energy. Besides fetching better rentals and offering a unique selling proposition to property developers and builders, DCI-enabled buildings generally have better aesthetics than unplanned or randomly introduced connectivity systems.

An essential utility

Today, construction activity is booming and new condominiums and high-rise apartment blocks are springing up everywhere. Small families want to possess their own living place. We have also noted how good data connectivity and access to OTT apps and data services are so important, especially within buildings and built-up environments for comfortable and efficient living. Property developers should keep this digital utility in mind while planning and executing their infrastructure projects. It is as essential a utility as electricity or water supply. Developers would do well to leverage the provision of good connectivity within their built-up areas to create customer delight and a win-win situation for all stakeholders. We need to work to change mindsets of all concerned at the earliest, to be in tune with the requirements of Digital India. Good digital connectivity or DCI inside buildings is as critical today as a good semiconductor chip inside a computer.

(The author is an Honorary Fellow of IET London and President of the Broadband India Forum [BIF]. The views expressed here are his personal views. Research inputs by Atul Jain of BIF.)