MC EXCLUSIVE Brookfield-backed Altius bets on telecom network expansion as India’s data consumption soars: Group MD

Munish Seth, Group MD, Altius

Global investment firm Brookfield-backed Altius Telecom Infrastructure Trust - a digital infrastructure company - is positioning to profit from India’s future digital growth, at a time when telecom operators are expanding network to make it even more dense amid a surge in mobile data consumption.

In an exclusive interaction with Moneycontrol, Munish Seth, Group Managing Director of Altius Telecom Infrastructure Trust said the company’s core mandate is to build and manage the physical infrastructure - towers and sites - that house radio equipment for telecom operators, critical for 5G expansion.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if India soon crosses 50 GB per user per month - and that puts enormous pressure on telecom networks,” Seth said.

Watch Full Interview: Inside India’s digital backbone - Towers and 5G - with Altius Group

“Operators will need to upgrade their infrastructure for both capacity and coverage, and that’s where we play a critical role. With our large nationwide presence, we’re uniquely positioned to help mobile operators expand and densify their networks to meet the next wave of data growth,” said Munish Seth.

India’s average data usage has already reached around 32 GB per user per month and is projected to rise to 50 GB within next three to four years. With over 640 million smartphones in use, this data boom is driving a massive need for upgraded telecom networks, especially across semi-urban and rural areas.

“As consumption continues to soar, operators must strengthen both capacity and coverage. That’s where we come in — by creating the physical assets, such as towers and sites, that enable operators to mount their radio equipment,” Seth said.

Formed last year through the merger of Summit Digitel, Crest Digitel and ATC India, Altius has quickly emerged as one of the world’s largest telecom infrastructure platforms with a combined portfolio of around 2.60 lakh towers, including both macro and in-building sites.

“We are a sizeable company and take pride in helping build the nation’s digital backbone,” Seth said.

He added that India’s soaring data consumption, coupled with growing digital adoption in rural regions, is creating vast opportunities for Altius as telecom operators ramp up network capacity and reach.

“Rural India today is not what it used to be - it’s aspirational and economically vibrant,” he said, crediting government’s inclusive digital policies and affordable tariffs as key enablers. “With the cost of data now almost equal to a cup of tea and 5G devices becoming affordable, there’s an incentive for everyone in the ecosystem to bring more people online.”

Policy Push and Next Steps

Seth welcomed government’s recent Right of Way (RoW) policy changes, which have simplified processes for telecom operators and infrastructure providers alike, and called for greater harmonisation in tower regulations, which currently differ across states.

“What I’d like to see next is a more centralised and standardised approval process,” Munish Seth said.

He also suggested integrating telecom planning into major national infrastructure projects. “For instance, if a railway line or a highway is being built, why not provision fibre ducts during construction? It would make the system far more efficient,” Seth said.

Seth believes emerging technologies such as AI, 5G and eventually 6G will redefine India’s digital infrastructure landscape.

“AI is already transforming industries - from flood prediction to disaster management. Imagine the possibilities if infrastructure players like us can leverage such technologies being developed in India,” he said.