Archive · 5 Oct 2026
TRAI Wants Buildings to Plan for Mobile Connectivity
Mobile phone signals can be weak inside large buildings.
Walls and concrete can make it harder for signals to reach people indoors.
TRAI wants builders to think about phone coverage while planning a building.
Small antennas inside a building can help spread the signal around.
TRAI also has a rating system to show how well a building supports digital connectivity.
Buildings can be assessed while they are planned, built or finished.
Owners of existing buildings can check their systems and find ways to improve them.
TRAI says more people need to learn about these options.
TRAI Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti says indoor mobile coverage remains a challenge in India.
TRAI recommends including provisions for in-building connectivity systems in building design and construction standards.
Distributed small antennas can bring mobile signals inside and spread coverage throughout a building.
TRAI's digital connectivity rating framework assesses properties at planning, construction and commissioning stages, with half-star ratings now allowed.
TRAI says limited awareness is slowing adoption and is holding stakeholder workshops to promote the framework and in-building solutions.
- Who
- The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), led in the interview by Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti.
- What
- TRAI is promoting in-building mobile connectivity solutions and a digital connectivity rating framework.
- When
- The efforts and framework were discussed in an interview; no interview date is stated.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- Indoor mobile coverage remains challenging, and planning for connectivity before construction may prevent costly or disruptive retrofits.
- Regulator
- Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)
- Chairman quoted
- Anil Kumar Lahoti
- Connectivity issue
- Mobile signals can weaken indoors, especially in large or multi-storey buildings.
- Recommended approach
- Include provisions for in-building systems in building design and construction standards.
- Rating framework
- Allows half-star ratings and assessments at planning, construction and final commissioning stages.
- Existing buildings
- Owners can use an audit process to identify connectivity gaps and improvements without seeking a formal rating.
- Adoption challenge
- TRAI says limited awareness among stakeholders is holding back wider adoption.