TRAI suggests property managers be exempt from central authorisation for IBS deployment

TRAI also calls for service providers to not enter into any exclusive contract for right of way with property managers

In another development in the saga of setting up network connectivity in public areas, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has suggested that property owners be exempted from the Centre’s approval for deploying In-Building Solutions (IBS).

TRAI recommended that an owner or manager of a property “should be permitted to establish, operate, maintain, and expand in-building solution (IBS) within the limits of a single building, compound, or estate, managed by it. For this purpose, there should be no requirement of obtaining any authorisation from the Central Government under Section 3(1)(b) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023.”

The property manager should provide access to the IBS established by it in its property to the eligible service authorised entities and Digital Connectivity Infrastructure Provider (DCIP) authorised entities in fair and non-discriminatory manner, said TRAI in the “Rating of Buildings or Areas for Digital Connectivity” recommendations. It also called for a condition on all relevant service providers, prohibiting them from entering into any exclusive contract for right of way with property managers.

According to Mahesh Uppal, Director of Com First India, the suggestions were related to the telcos’ ongoing standoff with Mumbai Metro and other public authorities as well where the companies argued that only telecom service providers (TSPs) have the right to provide IBS services in India. However, he added that the implementation of such a recommendation may pose a challenge.

Aside from the Mumbai Metro, telcos have also written to airport authorities of Navi Mumbai, Guwahati, Thiruvananthapuram and Bengaluru, whose existing IBS licenses will expire on May 31, stating that only TSPs holding valid Universal Access Service Licenses (UASL) and spectrum rights.