Broadband
Television has continuously evolved from just an hour of broadcast a day to 24-hour programming: Vivek Raina
Mumbai: In a strategic move aligned with the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s projection of 202 million cable TV homes by 2026, Excitel aims to capitalise on converting “Dark Homes” into WiFi-enabled hubs of digital entertainment.
For an affordable price of Rs 599 subscribers gain access to a comprehensive package that includes 21 premium OTT platforms, over 550 premium TV channels, and blazing-fast 400 Mbps internet speed. This plan not only meets but exceeds the burgeoning demands of consumers transitioning from traditional cable TV to connected TVs.
Indiantelevision.com caught up with Excitel founder & CEO Vivek Raina where he delved more deeply into the topic of IPTV setting to transform 202 million cable TV homes by 2026 and much more…
Edited excerpts
On elaborating the features of Excitel’s IPTV service, particularly the inclusion of 21 premium OTTs, 550+ premium TV channels, and 400 Mbps internet speed
The real advantage of Excitel’s IPTV service lies in its simplicity and cost-efficiency. Traditionally, consumers have had to juggle multiple subscriptions: cable or DTH services for live TV, separate internet plans, and additional OTT subscriptions for on-demand content. It’s a hassle to manage and a significant expense. With our IPTV service, we eliminate this complexity by offering a comprehensive solution that bundles live TV, OTT platforms, and high-speed internet into one seamless package. Just imagine having all your entertainment needs met through a single subscription – live TV channels, your favorite OTT content, and super-fast internet, all in one place. That’s the convenience and efficiency we’re delivering. Plus, our high-speed internet ensures that your viewing experience is smooth and enjoyable, with no buffering or lag.
Excitel’s IPTV service is truly a one-stop solution for all your entertainment needs, reflecting our commitment to making your life easier and more enjoyable.
On the main challenges consumers face in minimizing their home entertainment costs
Consumers often face challenges managing multiple subscriptions for TV, internet, and OTT content, resulting in both complexity and high costs. Excitel’s IPTV service simplifies this by offering a single comprehensive package that includes live TV, OTT platforms, and high-speed internet. With everything in one place, subscribers enjoy convenience, cost-efficiency, and a seamless entertainment experience. Our commitment to providing a one-stop solution reflectsour dedication to making life easier and more enjoyable for our customers.
On planning to reach and convert “Dark Homes” without television to WiFi-enabled homes?
Our approach has always been forward-thinking. It all started back in April 2023 when we introduced our Smart TV plans, which were a huge hit. Building on that success, in September 2023 we offered combined Smart TV and smart projector packages. These offerings really struck a chord with customers, setting the stage for the launch of our IPTV services in February 2024. And let me tell you, it’s been a game-changer. Moving forward, we remain committed to providing affordable and relevant offers to our consumers, consistently bridging the gap and penetrating more households into the era of WiFi-enabled homes.
On strategies you are employing to penetrate the market and achieve widespread adoption of Excitel’s IPTV service
At Excitel, our dedication lies in putting consumers first, empowering them to expect nothing but the best. Back in 2015, while the industry was settling for 512 Kbps internet speeds, we set a new standard with 20 Mbps. Since then, we’ve continued to innovate, ensuring our services meet the varied needs of our customers at affordable prices. Our latest offering, IPTV service, bundles 300 Mbps high speed internet with access to over 21 OTT platforms and live TV in one, all designed to cater to every household through fiber to the home network while keeping costs down. We identified a gap in how Wi-Fi services were bundled and delivered, and since then we
have been tackling that head-on to drive the widespread adoption of our IPTV service.
On TRAI reporting India to have 202 million cable TV homes by 2026
There was a time when people said television was dying, but this growth trend from TRAI shows that’s far from the truth. Television has continuously evolved—from just an hour of broadcast a day to 24-hour programming, to letting us watch our favorite shows before their scheduled time. Now, it’s all about being able to watch anything, anytime, on demand.
This growth in cable TV homes will significantly impact the home entertainment industry by increasing the demand for more comprehensive and convenient viewing options, like IPTV. The expansion of television services supports the growth of IPTV, as it aligns with the trend of consumers seeking greater control over their viewing experience. We see this growth as a positive development that will revolutionize how people perceive and interact with home entertainment.
On IMARC Group reporting India’s IPTV market size to exhibit a growth rate (CAGR) of 18.70 percent during 2024-2032
We are absolutely aware of this trend, and it only strengthens our objectives. We’ve always known that IPTV will be a game changer in the home broadband industry. The evolving trends and people’s changing viewing habits have driven this innovation, and we firmly believe that IPTV is the future. Our aim is to revolutionize home entertainment, offering unparalleled convenience and a comprehensive solution that meets all their needs.
Broadband
ACT Fibernet elevates Aditya Singh to chief customer experience officer
Former senior vp to drive service, retention and delivery revamp
BENGALURU: ACT Fibernet has elevated Aditya Singh to chief customer experience officer, effective 1 January, 2026, as the broadband provider seeks to tighten its grip on service quality in an increasingly competitive market.
Singh, who previously served as senior vice-president – customer experience and loyalty at group level, will now join the executive committee and lead the company’s end-to-end customer transformation agenda.
The move gives him oversight of customer service, customer retention and service delivery, alongside a broader mandate to strengthen network resilience and field operations. The company said the reshuffle underlines its intent to deliver a “consistent, seamless and superior” experience to its 2.3m subscribers across more than 30 cities.
Headquartered in Bengaluru, ACT Fibernet, the consumer-facing brand of Atria Convergence Technologies Limited, is one of India’s largest wired internet service providers. It has built its pitch on high-speed connectivity and responsive customer support, at a time when fibre roll-outs and price wars are redrawing the broadband map.
In a statement, Singh said he was “deeply honoured” to take on the expanded brief and join the executive committee as the company sharpens its focus on simplifying customer touchpoints and turning subscribers into brand advocates.
The elevation signals a clear priority: in a crowded fibre market, customer experience is fast becoming the decisive battleground.
