Elon Musk, chairman and founder of SpaceX, publicly accused Reliance Jio and Mukesh Ambani of monopolizing satellite internet services in India. Musk questioned why Starlink, licensed in over 165 countries and compliant with Indian laws for five years, has yet to receive a license in India. His comments came amid internet shutdowns in Delhi during protests, sparking a heated debate over satellite broadband access in the country, according to inc42.com.
Musk’s accusations targeted both the Indian government and Reliance Jio, suggesting the conglomerate influenced regulatory decisions to block competition. Reliance Industries denied fearing competition and stated it welcomes satellite broadband providers like Starlink if they comply with Indian laws. The Ministry of Communications also rejected claims of unequal treatment, affirming that Starlink, Reliance Jio, and Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb are at similar regulatory stages, per inc42.com.
The dispute highlights the challenges facing satellite internet providers in India’s regulatory environment. Starlink’s delay contrasts with its global licensing success, while Reliance Jio’s satellite services await clearances. The situation underscores the competitive tensions in India’s growing satellite broadband market, where government policies and corporate interests intersect. The Ministry’s statement on a fair authorization framework suggests ongoing negotiations among key players, according to inc42.com.
Starlink has spent five years complying with Indian regulations but remains unlicensed, while Reliance Jio’s satellite services are pending approvals. The Ministry of Communications confirmed that all major satellite internet players in India are at broadly the same regulatory stage, as of the latest statements reported by inc42.com.