TRAI Chairman Anil Kumar Lahoti has said the government is developing policies and infrastructure to establish integrated, secure national mission-critical communication systems aimed at countering the growing threat of unpredictable climate disasters. Speaking at a conference organised by the Broadband India Forum and The Critical Communications Association, Lahoti described the initiative as strategically important for India and the global community in an era of rising climate vulnerabilities, urban communication challenges, and increasingly complex security situations.
Lt. Gen. Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd), Board Member of the National Disaster Management Authority, stressed that in preparing for uncertainty, communication is the strongest weapon, and investing in interoperable, mission-critical networks is essential to safeguard lives with speed, clarity, and confidence.
The event featured participation from leading international organisations, including TCCA CEO Kevin Graham, who underscored the importance of India adopting global standards to strengthen emergency preparedness. BIF Chairperson Aruna Sundararajan called for closer synergy between policymakers, regulators, and industry leaders to create technologies and policies that deliver tangible impact.
Earlier this month, TRAI introduced the Manual for Rating of Properties for Digital Connectivity, the country’s first standardised framework to assess how effectively buildings are equipped for high-speed, reliable digital access. With over 80 per cent of mobile data consumed indoors and high-frequency 4G and 5G signals often weakened by modern building materials, Lahoti said robust in-building networks are now essential for work, education, healthcare, and daily digital services. Weak indoor connectivity, he noted, directly affects consumer experience and overall quality of service.
Lahoti emphasised that in the 21st century, digital connectivity is essential infrastructure, comparable to electricity or water, powering growth, innovation, and opportunity. He described the new framework as a decisive step towards making every building in India ready for the Digital India vision, enabling more citizens to participate fully in the connected economy and laying the foundation for inclusive national growth.
