The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has released a paper on the rating of buildings or areas for digital connectivity as the telecom regulator noted considerable gaps in meeting the quality demands of users inside and across complexes. The paper proposes value addition to the buildings or areas by introducing digital connectivity infrastructure evaluations, and award ratings in terms of points, based on the quality of experience set in a scientific way involving a combination of field measurements, users’ experience of digital connectivity provided in their buildings or premises, the regulator said in a statement.

The paper also provides details on the requirements in various laws and guidelines for developing telecom infrastructure in an area. It suggests measures to include digital connectivity infrastructure as a critical component for completing a building or development of an area, with legal backing. The demand for digital connectivity has grown a lot in recent years, and the pandemic further highlighted this demand.

The regulator has been observing the quality of telecom services by conducting detailed studies and issuing appropriate directions towards enhancing the service quality. While there has been good progress in the coverage of telecom services on the street, there are still considerable gaps in meeting the quality demands of the users inside and across the buildings, residential or commercial areas which need to be connected by implementing technological solutions, TRAI said.