Satellite Internet Won’t Replace Fiber Broadband, Says Excitel CEO Vivek Raina

February 10, 2026: Vivek Raina, CEO and co-founder of Excitel Broadband India, has stated that the rise of satellite internet will not affect fiber broadband in India. In an exclusive interview with NBT Tech, Raina emphasized that no generation of mobile technology, including 5G or 6G, can replace the utility of fiber internet within homes.

Fiber Broadband Remains Vital for Cities
Raina highlighted that fiber broadband currently serves only 4 crore connections across India, a small number given the country’s population. “India’s broadband journey has just begun. Cities need wired fiber networks for consistent high-speed connectivity,” he said. He added that while mobile internet has been the focus for years, it cannot replace the reliability and speed of wired broadband.

Where Satellite Internet Works – and Where It Doesn’t
While satellite internet has its uses, Raina believes it is better suited for rural villages, mountain resorts, deserts, or offshore locations. “It’s useful for remote areas, but urban homes require fiber broadband. The costs and monthly recharges for satellite are high compared to affordable fiber options in cities,” he explained.

Affordable Fiber and Growing Demand
Excitel’s strategy of keeping prices low while increasing speeds has contributed to fiber broadband’s success. “When we started in 2015, we targeted unstructured areas like Shahdara in Delhi. We offered 20 Mbps at ₹300 per month, and today, the same price gets 200 Mbps,” Raina said. He stressed that raising prices would reduce adoption.

Challenges Facing Fiber Providers
Raina also noted challenges like regulations, permissions for poles, and high taxes—up to 26% including 18% GST. Incidents like Hyderabad, where poles were cut disrupting services, show the need for clarity and uniform policies across states.

The Future of Fiber in India
Despite advances in 6G technology, Raina believes that fiber broadband will remain indispensable. “6G will provide superfast internet outside the home, but inside, fiber is irreplaceable. We guarantee 200 Mbps through our wired network,” he said. The growth of smart devices in every home, from smartphones to smart TVs, has also accelerated fiber adoption.

Raina concluded that over the next 18 months, fiber broadband has huge potential to expand to millions of homes, provided quality and awareness about its advantages over mobile internet are maintained.