Vishal Raghuvanshi, Chief Operating Officer, CloudExtel
Over the past few years, rising data consumption, rapid 5G roll-outs, enterprise digitalisation and the growing influence of cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) have significantly expanded the role of tower and infrastructure providers. The focus is increasingly on deep fiberisation, dense small cell deployments, edge-enablement and sustainable energy integration to support next-generation digital services. In an interview with tele.net, Vishal Raghuvanshi, Chief Operating Officer, CloudExtel, discussed the evolution of the tower and digital infrastructure ecosystem, the growing relevance of network-as-a-service (NaaS) models, the role of energy service company (ESCO)-led energy management, India’s preparedness for rising data demand, and the key shifts expected to shape the sector in the coming years…
How has the telecom tower and digital infrastructure space evolved in recent years?
If you look at the last five to seven years, the shift in telecom infrastructure has been fundamental. It is no longer about simply putting up towers and leasing space. The real transformation lies in building invisible data highways, with fibre going deeper into cities, small cells quietly adding capacity, and edge infrastructure moving closer to where data is created and consumed.
At CloudExtel, we see ourselves as part of this journey, helping drive the transition from standalone assets to integrated platforms. Our focus is on enabling shared, carrier-neutral infrastructure that telcos, internet service providers, hyperscalers and enterprises can adopt seamlessly. As 5G, cloud, artificial intelligence (AI) and enterprise digitalisation accelerate, infrastructure must be faster to deploy, easier to scale, and reliable over decades rather than quarters.
How do you see NaaS reshaping the telecom infrastructure landscape?
NaaS represents a clear shift in mindset. Traditionally, connectivity involved heavy upfront investments, long build cycles and rigid capacity planning. NaaS changes that by allowing customers to consume network capacity the same way they consume cloud services, in an on-demand, scalable and outcome-driven manner.
This is where CloudExtel’s full-stack operating model becomes relevant. By working across fibre, small cells, towers and energy, we are able to eliminate complexity for customers. Operators and enterprises care less about how a network is built and more about latency, uptime and speed to market. NaaS allows infrastructure to function like a service layer – dynamic and responsive – aligned closely with business growth rather than fixed capital cycles.
How are ESCO models and renewable energy integration changing the economics of tower operations?
Energy has always been one of the most critical pressure points in tower operations, driven by high costs, operational volatility and growing sustainability expectations. ESCO models bring much-needed discipline to this space by introducing specialist-led, end-to-end energy management instead of fragmented approaches.
From CloudExtel’s perspective, renewable integration and ESCO models are not only about cost efficiency but also about resilience and predictability. Smarter energy management improves uptime, stabilises operating expenses, and significantly reduces carbon footprint. Over time, this becomes a genuine competitive advantage rather than just an environmental, social and governance requirement, enabling networks to scale sustainably as data demand continues to rise.
With 5G roll-outs accelerating and data demand rising, how prepared is India’s digital infrastructure ecosystem?
India has made meaningful progress, but the journey is still under way. 5G radios are rolling out rapidly, cloud adoption is accelerating, and data centre capacity is expanding, yet fibre depth remains the real differentiator. Ambition is high, and infrastructure capacity must rise to meet it.
At CloudExtel, our focus has been clear on strengthening intra-city fibre networks, creating multiple geographically diverse routes between data centres, and enabling low-latency connectivity that can support AI, cloud and enterprise workloads. Preparedness today is not about a single technology, but about how effectively fibre, wireless, cloud and energy work together. Collaboration across the ecosystem will determine how smoothly India moves into the next phase of capacity expansion.
What are the key challenges in scaling telecom infrastructure across markets?
Scaling telecom infrastructure in India is never just a technical exercise. Each city presents a unique mix of regulatory requirements, right-of-way constraints, power availability issues and local operational realities. What works in one market often needs adaptation in another.
The real differentiator is execution discipline. Strong local engagement, standardised processes, clear governance and transparency make a significant difference. At CloudExtel, our experience shows that speed and quality do not have to be trade-offs when processes are designed well. Successful scaling is less about building quickly and more about building correctly, so networks remain reliable and efficient long after deployment.
Looking ahead, what major shifts do you expect in telecom infrastructure over the next few years? The coming years will see telecom infrastructure become more shared and software-driven. Small cells will move into the mainstream, edge data centres will come closer to demand centres, and AI will play a growing role in managing network performance and energy efficiency. Further, sustainability will also shift from intent to measurable outcomes, with customers expecting tangible outcomes rather than broad commitments.
CloudExtel’s strategy is aligned with this direction through deep fibre deployment, neutral host models, integrated wireless and wireline capabilities, and a strong focus on long-term operational excellence. Infrastructure will no longer sit quietly in the background but will be recognised as the foundation on which India’s digital economy is built.
