Karnataka Govt. amends Karnataka Municipal Corporations Model Building Bye-laws, 2017; introduces ‘Digital Infrastructure’ compliance obligation prior to construction approvals and occupancy certificates

The Government of Karnataka has notified the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Model Building (Amendment) Bye-laws, 2024 to introduce new provisions to modify existing building norms to align with modern practices and environmental considerations including requirements for In-Building Solutions (“IBS”) to support digital communication infrastructure in buildings.

Key Highlights:

1. Buildings must provide proper infrastructure such as ducts, cable trays, conduits, and designated space for ICT systems, including fiber optics, small cells, antennas and other digital technologies;
2. Sufficient power supply, earthing and space must be available for installing the required systems, ensuring smooth operations and future scalability;
3. Installation of 5G, Wi-Fi, and Fiber networks are critical for ensuring seamless, high-speed digital connectivity and their installation is necessary in all buildings to support increasing data demands;
4. All buildings are required to be designed to be Digital Infrastructure-ready, with planned telecom ducts, pathways, and access points to facilitate the smooth installation of digital systems;
5. Occupancy Certificates will only be issued once the building’s telecom infrastructure is in place, ensuring that it’s compliant with digital connectivity standards;
6. Developers are required to submit an IBS plan along with their building plans for approval, including a service plan certified by a credible telecom consultant and a commitment to make the infrastructure available for all service providers;
7. No fees will be charged for installation of IBS though charges for power supply, fixtures and other services provided by the building owners may apply.

Source: Karnataka Gazette