When renting a new flat or purchasing a property, people thoroughly check the tiles, paint, balcony view, and parking space. However, the real frustration begins after moving in when one has to stand in the balcony to make a phone call or experiences Wi-Fi signal dropouts during work from home. The actual state of mobile network inside a house is rarely discussed openly, and builders or brokers invariably claim everything is top-notch. To resolve this recurring issue, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has introduced a digital connectivity rating platform and a specialized mobile app that reveals the true digital health of any property.
Uncovering network performance with a single click
Whether calls inside the house will drop or remain crystal clear, and whether downloading speeds will be lightning-fast or plagued by buffering, can now be figured out with just a single click. According to TRAI Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti, this new system enables ordinary citizens to find out about the digital infrastructure of a building before finalising a property. This empowers consumers to make well-informed choices rather than discovering network dead zones only after shifting into their new homes or offices.
Reliable information and enhanced transparency for consumers
TRAI Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti stated that making these ratings publicly available and providing certificate verification facilities will grant consumers reliable and comparable information. This will allow people to select homes and offices equipped with superior facilities for calling, downloading, and online services. He added that the system helps consumers understand the value of digital connectivity infrastructure within a property while encouraging property developers and management entities to integrate digital connectivity features from the very beginning of a project.
On this platform, consumers can search for any rated property using its name, certificate ID, or location. They will also be able to view the digitally signed rating certificate of the respective property. Furthermore, the authenticity of the certificate can be verified using the QR code available on it. The government notes that this makes digital connectivity a clear and verifiable attribute of any property, allowing buyers and tenants to understand real network and internet conditions prior to making a final decision. According to the Ministry of Communications, the platform brings property managers, registered digital connectivity rating agencies, and consumers onto a shared digital forum, streamlining the entire rating process.
Registered DCRA agencies can access rating applications through the platform, conduct inspections, record test results, manage necessary documents, and complete the entire rating process according to prescribed guidelines. TRAI has also provided a dedicated DCRA mobile app for field assessments. Through this app, authorised agencies can examine digital connectivity inside buildings according to standardized testing methodologies and upload measurement data directly into the system.
