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Edge Data Centers: An Old Player Reclaiming the Spotlight in India’s Digital Infrastructure Push

Digital Transformation
AI
Cyber Security
Cloud Transformation
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Edge Data Centers: An Old Player Reclaiming the Spotlight in India’s Digital Infrastructure Push

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Edge Data Centers: An Old Player Reclaiming the Spotlight in India’s Digital Infrastructure Push

Digital Transformation
AI
Cyber Security
Cloud Transformation

Table of Contents

Edge data centers are not a new concept in India’s tech ecosystem. They have long been embedded in telco infrastructure, financial networks, and enterprise backbones. But with rising demand for faster, more localized digital services, these once-overlooked assets are taking center stage.

What is an Edge Data Center, really?
An Edge Data Center (EDC) is a compact, decentralized facility located closer to the source or point of consumption of data. It performs computing, storage, and networking functions without needing to send traffic back to large, centralized hyperscale centers.

Edge facilities are modular, scalable, and resilient deployed in locations such as manufacturing floors, telco exchanges, traffic intersections, hospitals, and retail outlets. Their proximity to end-users ensures faster performance, minimal latency, and better compliance with local data regulations.
The Edge Spectrum: A Technical Breakdown
Edge computing is not one-size-fits-all. It spans a continuum, depending on how close it sits to data sources:
    • Device Edge: Computation on end-devices like smartphones, sensors, cameras.
    • Embedded/Micro Edge: Processing units embedded in machines (e.g., kiosks, robots).
    • On-Prem Edge: Local servers at enterprise premises.
    • Metro Edge: Edge nodes deployed in urban data centers for broader area coverage.

    • Near vs. Far Edge: Near Edge is closer to core aggregation points; Far Edge resides right at the data source.
Why Edge Infrastructure Is Back in Focus
Several converging trends are accelerating edge adoption in India:
    • Digital Growth Beyond Metros Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities are witnessing a surge in digital consumption e-commerce, e-governance, OTT necessitating local data processing infrastructure.
 
    • 5G and Real-Time Applications Next-gen use cases like autonomous vehicles, AR/VR, and telemedicine demand ultra-low latency that only localized computer infrastructure can deliver.
 
    • Regulatory & Compliance Mandates Data localization rules (RBI, MeitY) are compelling businesses to host sensitive data within national or regional boundaries favoring edge setups.

    • Infrastructure Efficiency By processing data locally, edge nodes reduce backhaul traffic, lower latency, and improve energy utilization, particularly in bandwidth-constrained regions.
India’s Edge Data Center Market: Size and Growth

India’s edge data center market, while still emerging, is poised for exponential growth. As per IMARC Group (via w.media), the market was valued at USD 428.5 million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 3.006 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 19.5%.

According to ICRA, India’s edge data center capacity is expected to triple to 200–210 MW by 2027. This resurgence is not driven by hype but by operational necessity: low-latency responsiveness, geographic proximity to users, data localization compliance, and the need to support emerging technologies. Edge infrastructure is fast becoming foundational to India’s digital ambitions.

This surge is driven by digital transformation across sectors like telecom, BFSI, e-commerce, government, and healthcare, all demanding low-latency processing, edge AI, and localized compliance.

Souce:IMARC Group via w.media, 2024

Edge and hyperscale architectures are not rivals, they are complementary. Edge handles immediate workloads; hyperscale provides centralized storage and deep analytics.

India’s Capacity Trajectory: By the Numbers
  • Current Capacity (2024): 60–70 MW
  • Projected by 2027: 200–210 MW (3X growth)
  • Estimated Investment: ₹5,000–₹6,000 crore over 3 years
  • Emerging Edge Locations: Jaipur, Coimbatore, Lucknow, Indore
  • Growth Drivers: Government incentives, enterprise digitalization, regional demand
Industry Use Cases: Where Edge Creates Value
Manufacturing:

  • Closed-loop automation
  • Predictive maintenance
  • Real-time defect detection
Healthcare:

  • Smart ICUs and teleconsultations
  • Imaging and diagnostics at the edge
  • Compliance with NDHM and HIPAA equivalents
Telecom & 5G:

  • Multi-access edge computing (MEC)
  • Local content delivery Network slicing
Banking & Financial Services:

  • Real-time fraud detection
  • Localized data processing at ATMs/branches
  • Regulatory data residency
Retail & Smart Spaces:

  • Dynamic pricing engines
  • Smart shelves and footfall analysis
  • On-site AI inference
Smart Cities:

  • Traffic management
  • Environmental monitoring
  • Public safety and surveillance
Barriers to Adoption
Despite the momentum, edge data centers face operational and strategic challenges:

    • Capital Investment: Building and maintaining distributed nodes can be expensive
    • Management Complexity: Monitoring hundreds of remote nodes adds operational overhead
    • Standardization Gaps: Fragmented platforms and inconsistent protocols


    • Talent Shortage: Demand for edge-native engineers and architects is outpacing supply
What’s Next: Trends Reshaping the Edge in India
    • AI at the Edge: Localized inference powered by devices like NVIDIA Jetson, Google Edge TPU
    • Sovereign Cloud Collaboration: Indian cloud firms teaming up with global players to deploy regional edge stacks
    • Green Edge: Eco-efficient micro data centers using solar, passive cooling, and edge-optimized power
    • Composable Infrastructure: Hardware-agnostic edge setups with orchestration layers for rapid scale
Building Tomorrow’s Digital Backbone Today
The future of India’s digital transformation hinges not on centralized infrastructure, but on how quickly enterprises decentralize and move closer to the edge. Edge data centers are not just solving latency issues they are reshaping how businesses operate, serve customers, and

With a projected market leap from $428.5 million in 2024 to over $3 billion by 2033, edge is no longer an option it’s a competitive advantage. As 5G matures, smart cities take shape, and real-time analytics become non-negotiable, the enterprises that embed edge strategies into their core IT frameworks will lead the charge.

Now is the time for CIOs, CTOs, and decision-makers to shift from observation to action because in the edge era, speed isn’t just a metric; it’s a mandate.
Sources
    • ICRA via Economic Times: India’s Edge Capacity Forecast (2027)
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Hima Bindu

Account Director

Himabindu K is a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in driving customer success, delivering excellence, and developing talent strategies across IT services, consulting, and product-based domains. As Associate Director at Skillmine, she plays a key role in strengthening client partnerships, overseeing strategic program delivery, and ensuring consistent, high-quality outcomes across major accounts.

With a strong focus on client satisfaction, Himabindu excels at translating complex business needs into scalable talent and delivery models. Her foresight in anticipating client expectations has driven stronger retention, account growth, and sustained revenue. She leads cross-functional teams across geographies, delivering SLA-driven staffing and service programs tailored to each client's environment. Her expertise spans end-to-end talent acquisition, issue resolution, and program governance, ensuring each engagement aligns with business goals.

Himabindu was instrumental in establishing Skillmine’s Hyderabad operations, expanding the company’s presence in southern India. Known for her collaborative leadership and outcome-oriented mindset, she is a trusted advisor to both clients and internal teams, consistently elevating the standard for customer-focused, innovation-led delivery.

Aditi Kapoor

Head of Account Management

Aditi Kapoor brings over 14 years of experience in Sales and Marketing. As the Head of Account Management at Skillmine, she plays a pivotal role in overseeing enterprise customer portfolios, ensuring seamless delivery, and fostering long-term strategic partnerships.

Aditi is a customer-centric problem solver who acts as a trusted advisor helping clients align technology solutions with their evolving business goals. Her people-first approach, combined with a deep understanding of enterprise challenges, enables her to proactively drive value, innovation, and measurable outcomes.

She is passionate about building lasting relationships and is known for her collaborative mindset and timely execution. Beyond her professional role, Aditi is dedicated to mentoring young professionals, frequently sharing her experiences to guide them on their career journeys. Her dedication, empathy, and results-driven focus are what truly distinguish her.

Ashwin Agrawal

Executive Director

Ashwin Agrawal, Executive Director at Skillmine, is a dynamic business leader with over 5 years of experience in driving account management, product delivery, and team performance across diverse verticals. He plays a pivotal role in overseeing end-to-end customer engagement, ensuring seamless delivery execution and alignment with client expectations.

Ashwin thrives in challenging environments, where he leverages his problem-solving acumen to address complex business needs and deliver high-impact solutions. With a sharp focus on operational excellence and compliance, he leads cross-functional teams with clarity and purpose, building a culture of accountability and results.

His strategic mindset and customer-first approach continue to strengthen client relationships and enable business growth at every stage.

Amit Agrawal

Director – Software Delivery

Amit Agrawal, Technical Director at Skillmine, is a seasoned technology leader with over 20 years of experience driving enterprise-scale digital transformation. With deep expertise in software architecture, system integration, and technology strategy, he excels at aligning innovative tech solutions with strategic business goals.

Amit leads cross-functional engineering teams, overseeing the end-to-end delivery of complex initiatives while ensuring a strong focus on scalability, performance, and security. His leadership fosters a culture of technical excellence, continuous learning, and high-impact execution.

Throughout his career, Amit has successfully guided organizations through critical transformation journeys, bridging the gap between business vision and technical execution. His commitment to mentorship, quality delivery, and innovation continues to position Skillmine at the forefront of technology leadership.

Harshil Paun

Head of Finance

Harshil Paun, Finance Manager at Skillmine, is a results-oriented finance professional with over 5 years of experience in managing financial operations, compliance, and reporting. With a strong foundation in GST and TDS return filing, accounts finalization, and statutory audits, Harshil brings precision and accountability to every aspect of the organization’s financial processes.

His prior experience with reputed firms such as Pradhan Phadke & Associates and Sanjay Goenka & Co. has equipped him with deep operational knowledge and hands-on expertise in audit execution and client financial management. At Skillmine, Harshil plays a key role in streamlining accounting processes, ensuring regulatory compliance, and driving financial transparency.

Known for his analytical rigor and structured approach, Harshil contributes to strategic financial planning, supports audit readiness, and collaborates closely with cross-functional teams to align financial practices with organizational goals.

Prakash Agrawal

AVP – Service Now, Tools & Automation

Prakash Agrawal, AVP - ServiceNow, Tools & Automation, and Delivery Head, is a seasoned IT leader with over 16 years of experience in driving enterprise transformation through innovative technology solutions. His deep expertise in ServiceNow strategy, implementation, and platform optimization has enabled organizations to enhance operational efficiency and align IT initiatives with broader business goals. Prakash has successfully built and scaled global ServiceNow practices, delivering future-ready, automated solutions that drive measurable impact.

Known for his strategic mindset and execution excellence, Prakash has led multiple enterprise-wide initiatives focusing on practice development, talent nurturing, and process automation. His collaborative approach with executive leadership has helped shape ServiceNow governance frameworks and streamline service delivery. By integrating technology with business processes, he continues to empower organizations to achieve scalable growth and digital maturity.

Fahad Ibrahim

CEO KSA Business

Fahad Ibrahim serves as the CEO of Skillmine Saudi Arabia, where he is responsible for setting strategic direction, driving growth, and ensuring the successful delivery of innovative IT solutions across the region. His leadership encompasses overseeing business operations, fostering client relationships, and guiding the company’s vision for digital transformation. His role also involves spearheading market expansion efforts, establishing strategic alliances, and cultivating a high-performance culture within his team.

With over 15 years of experience in the IT industry, he has a deep expertise in robotic process automation (RPA), solution delivery, application development, and modernization initiatives. He has successfully designed and implemented RPA solutions, along with numerous application development and modernization projects, leveraging his proficiency to optimize business processes, reduce operational costs, and improve efficiency. His focus on solution delivery ensures clients receive high-quality, cost-effective IT services tailored to their needs.

Fahad Ibrahim holds a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, highlighting his ability to lead complex, mission-critical projects from start to finish. He actively promotes innovation by exploring emerging technologies such as AI, machine learning, and intelligent automation, helping clients stay ahead in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

Beyond operational management, he fosters continuous improvement and professional development within his team. He participates in industry forums and knowledge-sharing initiatives to stay current with technological trends, ensuring Skillmine remains a trusted partner in digital transformation across the region. His leadership continues to drive sustainable growth and reinforce Skillmine’s position as a leader in the IT services sector.

Shabaz Khan

Head of Sales - KSA

Shabaz Khan is a seasoned IT and Cybersecurity Sales and Pre-Sales Leader with over a decade of experience driving business growth, delivering value-driven technology solutions, and forging long-term strategic partnerships across diverse industry verticals in the Middle East, with a strong focus on the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

With deep expertise in Cybersecurity Advisory & Consulting, Managed Security Services, GRC (Governance, Risk & Compliance), Data Protection, Application Security, Network Managed Services, VAPT (Vulnerability Assessment and Penetration Testing), and Third-Party Risk Assessments, Shabaz brings a consultative approach to client engagement—bridging the gap between business objectives and technical execution.

His ability to lead strategic pre-sales efforts, design tailored service proposals, and oversee project execution from a customer success lens has positioned him as a trusted advisor to CXOs and IT decision-makers.

Snigdha Tiwari

Head of Marketing and Public Sector Business Sales

Snigdha thrives on navigating the dynamic challenges of business, transforming big ideas into impactful action. With a passion for strategy, innovation, and creative problem solving, she consistently drives meaningful value across multiple facets of the organization. Wearing many hats, Snigdha leads business development, optimizes operations, and spearheads product and marketing initiatives, always seeking innovative ways to enhance outcomes. For her, success is not just about completing tasks but about continuously improving processes and delivering lasting value. Outside of work, Snigdha enjoys exploring new perspectives, embracing uncharted possibilities, and finding inspiration in moments of quiet reflection, believing that the best ideas often emerge in stillness.

Kamaljeet Rastogi

Vice Chairman

Kamaljeet Rastogi, Director at Skillmine Technology Consulting, brings over three decades of rich and diverse experience in the global IT industry. A seasoned leader with a sharp strategic vision, Kamaljeet has worked across multinational banks, telecom giants, and global software companies, enabling them to accelerate their digital transformation journeys.

Throughout his 30+ year career, Kamaljeet has played instrumental roles in business development, product innovation, and market expansion. His expertise lies in helping organizations—from startups to large enterprises—conceptualize and implement transformative digital solutions, launch cutting-edge products, and scale across new markets.

Having successfully done business in over 50 countries, Kamaljeet has built a strong global network of industry professionals. He continues to contribute to the tech ecosystem as a CEO, board member, and angel investor, mentoring businesses and driving strategic growth with a global mindset.

Shriraj Kamlee

AVP - Product Delivery

Shriraj is a seasoned technology leader with over 15 years of expertise in driving strategic IT initiatives and transformational projects. Known for his ability to deliver measurable business value, he has excelled in managing complex IT Operations and Project Management functions, building high-performance cross-functional teams, and optimizing service delivery to enhance customer satisfaction.

With a robust background in ITSM, Shriraj has successfully overseen service management, transitions, and escalations, ensuring alignment with business objectives and industry standards. His hands-on experience with advanced cloud deployments—including P2V/V2V migrations, DaaS, AaaS, BaaS, DRaaS, cybersecurity, and SD-WAN solutions—underscores his technical acumen and adaptability to rapidly evolving technologies. In his current Program Management role, Shriraj partners with C-level executives and channel partners to design and execute IT strategies that drive operational efficiency and competitive advantage. His expertise spans private and public cloud solutions, digital transformation initiatives, and IT governance, ensuring that every project delivers tangible value to the organization and its clients. A visionary leader, Shriraj is committed to fostering a culture of continuous improvement, resilience, and excellence. His passion for innovation, combined with his strategic insights, make him a key driver of sustainable growth and success for the company.

Mohammed Mohsin Abbas

Head of Cyber Security

Mohsin Abbas Mohammed– Head of Cybersecurity at Skillmine. With over 15+ years of experience, Mohsin is a seasoned expert in cybersecurity, specializing in Cloud, network security, Vulnerability Management. He excels at safeguarding intricate technology environments from dynamic and emerging threats. Mohsin's career encompasses a broad spectrum of cybersecurity domains, including cloud security, network security, product security,Technical Leadership, Project Management, governance, risk management, incident response, security architecture, and vulnerability management.

His extensive experience in these areas has equipped him with a deep understanding of cybersecurity, from risk assessment to real-time defense strategies.He’s committed to building strong security systems and finding the right balance between people, processes, and technology to boost team performance and manage risks effectively.

Bijaya Tripathy

Head of HR

Bijaya Tripathy is an outcome-oriented and highly focused professional with more than 20 years of experience. He is currently positioned as Senior Manager - HR. HR in Skillmine Technology. As an HR professional, Bijaya translates business vision into HR initiatives that improve performance, profitability, growth, and employee engagement.

A highly motivated professional, Bijaya has worked extensively in the areas of recruitment and retention, staff development, attrition management, PMS, employee engagement, conflict resolution, benefits and compensation, HR policies development, and legal compliance. His role is central to Skillmine Technology in motivating the employees to improve their performance, thereby raising the bar of the organization's performance. As an effective business partner, he has worked closely with Business Heads and their teams to understand, anticipate, and provide solutions on various people-related matters.

Rajiv Lal

Head of Sales

Rajiv heads the Enterprise Sales team in India. He has around 16+ years of IT Sales and Solutions experience spread across various geographies. He focuses on understanding key pain areas of the clients and provides appropriate solutions for it. He is responsible for owning and executing our sales strategy across the enterprise and mid-market sales for both direct and indirect channels.

Always excited about getting into clients’ shoes and problem-solving is Rajiv’s motto. Strategizing sales, negotiating complex deals and beating the competition head to head is his forte. He is instrumental in building our commercial team and culture while working closely with the Sales, delivery and tech teams.

Murukraj Nair

Director - Delivery (Cloud & Infra)

Murukraj Nair, currently positioned as VP - Customer Success & Program Delivery Management with 16+ years of experience in IT Infrastructure Services, is immensely experienced in DC consolidation, Integration projects, Solutioning end-to-end Backup & Storage Infrastructure, Disaster Recovery, and managing various Service Delivery Models like Ringfenced, Hybrid, and Shared Services, etc. Having had built large teams across various technology segments, Murukraj has rich experience in Managing International and Domestic Customers.

As part of Technical Delivery management, he has a proven track record in handling a wide range of technical delivery management functions and consistently providing top-quality service delivery across multiple assignments in agreed time levels and as per SLA, achieving customer satisfaction. Murukraj is highly organized, and Customer-Centric having good interpersonal skills, understanding Business requirements to the core, and accordingly devising customized solutions, thereby maintaining complete client satisfaction, and creating repeated business opportunities.

Vimal Prakash

Director - Software Engineering (Digital)

Vimal, a software expert, makes high-level design choices and dictates technical standards, including software coding standards, tools, and platforms.Currently, he works as Associate Vice- President in Skillmine Technology Consulting. He has accomplished successful completion of various IT projects in large size business organizations with help of his dynamic team of designers and developers.

He has worked with various IT firms that specialize in delivering assignments for business clients. He has a broad and up-to-date knowledge of software applications, programming languages, and hardware as well as a good understanding of quality standards, legislation, and the best practices in the IT industry. He is familiar with programming languages like JavaScript, Java, SQL, C#, .net, PHP, operating systems like Windows, UNIX, databases like MySQL, and is experienced in cloud computing and cloud technologies.

Sampath Polisetty

Director - Public Sector Business Delivery (Cloud & Cyber)

With an impressive 16.5 years of experience in the realms of Cloud and IT Infrastructure, Sampath Kumar Polisetty is our go-to professional for all your technology and security needs. His expertise spans a wide range of domains, including Enterprise and End Point Infrastructure, Cyber Security, Windows Servers, Server Virtualization (VMware & Hyper-V), Data Center (Design, Build & Run), Cloud Transformation, SharePoint, Azure DevOps, VAPT, SOC, Cloud Security, PAM, and more.

Sampath's extensive knowledge doesn't stop there. His expertise extends to Storage and Backup, Linux, Network Administration, and the management of End Point Infrastructure, such as PCs and VDIs. He is well-versed in leading teams of Cyber Security Architects and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), guiding them in providing IT Security Assessments, VAPT, SOC Service Design, and End Point Security Management. What sets Sampath apart is his global experience, having successfully managed service delivery across regions including APAC, EMEA, and the US. His client portfolio covers diverse industries, including BFSI, Retail and Automotive. Beyond his core technology roles, Sampath also boasts expertise in essential organizational functions, such as Talent Acquisition, HR Operations, Pre-Sales, Sales & Marketing, Finance (P&L), and Vendor Management.

Samir Mehta

Director - Talent Delivery

With an experience of over 25 years, Samir works closely with Account Managers, TA Specialists, and HR Business Partners to construct plans and strategies to improve the recruitment process at Skillmine. His KRA is to hire top talent in a timely and an efficient manner. He manages all the global accounts and works closely with key stakeholders for delivering their talent needs.

He also aims at promoting diverse and inclusive hiring practices. Samir has extensive experience in Operations Management, Delivery Management, Project Management, People Management and Customer Support. His customer-centric strategy aims at ensuring us as an able, responsive vendor partner. He is also proficient in developing and streamlining systems with a proven ability to enhance operational effectiveness and meet operational goals within the cost, time, and quality parameters. He carries immense experience in planning, monitoring, and appraising job results; coaching, counselling, and disciplining employees. He is a dynamic leader with proven abilities in building and managing teams.

Vishwa Kiran

Chief Digital & Technology Officer

Vishwa Kiran, Executive Vice-President is an engineer by education who holds extensive experience in product Engineering, Enterprise and large-scale solution architecture, full-cycle software development, and building innovation teams. Vishwa Kiran started his career in 1988 with Excel Computers as a programmer.

In his 35 years of career span, Vishwa Kiran has adorned a variety of roles- a software developer, project leader, a Technical Manager & Partner, a Core design & development consultant, a Senior Architect, a Lead Solution Architect, Director R&D, Head of Enterprise Architecture and Innovation, and Managing Director- with top organizations like Accenture technology Labs, Dell Global Development Centre, Twelve77 Software Studios, Peutronics Private, Aum Infotech, Proland software, etc. Before joining Skillmine Technology Consulting, he was CEO of Widasconcepts India.

Anant Agrawal

CEO & Managing Director

Mr. Anant Agrawal, Managing Director of Skillmine Technology is an accomplished IT professional with outstanding technical knowledge and skills.He has used his creativity, strategic thinking, and passion to create solutions enabling businesses to gain a competitive advantage. He also has rich experience in establishing and managing complex commercial contracts.Anant has built his career over the last 28 years in various roles across Financial Services, Capital Markets, Insurance, and Retail sectors.

Anant is a passionate and pragmatic leader. His credibility comes, from his experience, relationship building, and communication skills. He has a global perspective and a long-term view coupled with urgency. He has a track record of attracting, motivating, and retaining outstanding & high-performance teams and individuals. Anant takes personal ownership in several areas including leading the engagement with the broader aspects of the businesses he has worked for.