The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released a consultation paper on “Regulation on Rating Framework for Digital Connectivity in Buildings or Areas.”
Digital connectivity has become integral part of personal, professional, and social life. TRAI has been monitoring the quality of service of telecom services across the country by conducting detailed studies and issuing suitable directions to the stakeholders, to improve the quality of service (QoS). While there have been significant improvements in coverage of telecom services on the street, there are still gaps observed in meeting the perceived QoS demands of the users, especially inside the buildings, residential or commercial areas.
However, TRAI has already taken various policy initiatives including the recommendation dated February 20, 2023 on “Rating of Buildings or Areas for Digital Connectivity”. These recommendations provide for introduction of rating of buildings framework to ensure good digital connectivity experience to the consumers through a collaborative and self-sustainable approach.
Now, the consultation paper on regulation on rating framework for digital connectivity in buildings or areas is released to deliberate on regulation for implementation of rating framework for buildings and areas for digital connectivity to improve QoS inside buildings and for seamless consumer experience.
The paper highlights the need for rating of buildings or areas for digital connectivity that meets not only the current expectations of the consumers but is also ready for future expansion or upgradation with the advancement of technologies or change in users’ demand. This paper also discusses the benefits of the rating framework to the end-users, service providers and to the ecosystem.
Furthermore, the consultation paper describes overview of the rating framework for digital connectivity based on the practices being followed internationally and rating frameworks like green rating for integrated habitat assessment (GRIHA) or credit rating in India. Therefore, based on above analysis, consultation paper provides a draft regulation for implementation of rating framework for digital connectivity.
TRAI has invited written comments from stakeholders on the issues raised in the consultation paper by November 10, 2023 and counter-comments by November 24, 2023.
