NEW DELHI — The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) released its amended “Rating Manual 2026” on Tuesday, updating the framework for assessing digital connectivity within properties. The new guidelines operate under the recently amended “Rating of Properties for Digital Connectivity Regulations, 2024”.
The regulations and the corresponding manual aim to address the challenges consumers face in securing reliable digital connectivity inside buildings through a collaborative and self-sustaining approach.
TRAI initially notified the connectivity regulations on October 25, 2024, and released the first iteration of the rating manual on August 13, 2025. This original document served as a structured framework designed to ensure a fair, transparent, and standardised approach for all stakeholders, including Digital Connectivity Rating Agencies, property managers, and service providers.
Following awareness sessions and workshops, TRAI determined that certain aspects of the assessment methodology required refinement and additional clarity. The agency issued a consultation paper on February 27, 2026, to propose revisions to the existing framework. After analysing stakeholder comments and feedback, TRAI officially notified the amended regulations on May 13, 2026.
Tuesday’s release of the amended manual formally incorporates these regulatory changes into the functional assessment guidelines. To maintain alignment with the updated regulations, the amended “Rating Manual 2026” introduces several major functional changes.
The framework now includes a structured, multi-stage assessment and certification process specifically tailored for under-construction properties, alongside a new provision for an Optional Digital Connectivity Audit to facilitate ongoing infrastructure improvements.
It also offers requisite flexibility in assessing power infrastructure while ensuring reliability requirements are maintained, and widens the monitoring framework to permit centralised systems beyond conventional Building Management Systems. Additionally, the updated manual adopts a technology-neutral approach by permitting both fibre and wireless backhaul solutions.
Service performance assessments have been standardised and will now be conducted using a TRAI-designated testing application. The agency also formally introduced a defined sampling methodology for assessing non-public areas and fully aligned the guidelines with the latest “National Building Construction Standards, 2026”.
The amended manual comes into force with immediate effect and is available to the public on the TRAI website.
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