Excitel Broadband co-founder Vivek Raina has stepped down from day-to-day operations after 11 years, as the company prepares for its next growth phase. Raina will remain a shareholder and adviser as leadership transitions to a new executive team while the firm focuses on scaling its fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) footprint across Indian cities.
Leadership transition and strategy
Varun Pasricha, formerly Excitel’s chief operating officer, has taken over as chief executive officer. Pasricha brings nearly two decades of corporate experience, having worked with companies including Zomato, G4S and Max Healthcare, and is expected to steer operational execution and customer experience initiatives.
Under the revised leadership, Excitel plans to reinforce its fibre network and partner ecosystem. The company has historically used a collaboration-driven last-mile model to accelerate deployment across tier I, II and III cities. Management has signalled priorities such as improving service quality, boosting customer retention and deepening market penetration in response to rising digital consumption for streaming, gaming and remote work.
Raina’s background and next steps
Before co-founding Excitel, Raina accumulated industry experience at Digicable Network India, Hathway and Reliance Communications, building expertise across cable and broadband operations. He credited employees, partners and customers for the company’s growth and said he plans to take a short break before exploring new ventures.
Raina will continue mentoring startups, including through initiatives such as Launchpad Kashmir, which supports entrepreneurs in the Jammu & Kashmir region. His ongoing engagement in mentorship underscores a continued commitment to fostering innovation and supporting early-stage founders.
Implications for the broadband market
India’s ISP market remains intensely competitive, with growing demand for reliable, high-speed connectivity. Excitel differentiated itself through affordable, unlimited plans and an aggressive FTTH rollout. Observers view Raina’s exit as a planned succession rather than a disruption; his retention as a stakeholder provides continuity while Pasricha focuses on operational scaling.
As broadband adoption expands, especially in smaller cities and semi-urban areas, providers such as Excitel will be vital in addressing connectivity gaps. The company’s strategic moves under new leadership will be closely watched by industry participants, regulators and customers.
