Elon Musk has intensified his public dispute with Indian regulators by questioning the influence of billionaire Mukesh Ambani, following the government’s rejection of his claims that Starlink is facing discriminatory treatment. The comments from the SpaceX chief executive escalate tensions over the prolonged delay of the satellite internet service in the world’s second-largest telecom market.
Musk posted on X on Wednesday, accusing unnamed “oligarchs” of maintaining a “monopolistic chokehold” on the country. He described the alleged obstruction as a “crime against the people of India” and argued that Starlink could provide affordable, high-speed internet to underserved populations. The post did not identify specific individuals or provide evidence for the allegations.
Government defends regulatory framework
India’s Ministry of Communications responded swiftly to the accusations. In a statement released on Wednesday, the ministry described its regulatory framework for satellite communications as “fair and non-discriminatory.” The statement emphasized that Starlink and two other licensed satellite operators are currently at “broadly the same regulatory stage.” The ministry added that all three companies are undergoing mandatory security assessments that must be completed before they can apply for spectrum, the radio frequencies required for satellite signals.
The dispute intensified on Thursday when Musk questioned the political influence of Reliance Industries chairperson Mukesh Ambani. “Is Ambani the real boss of India?” Musk wrote on X. This comment followed Starlink’s assertion that it has spent years complying with Indian regulations and questioning why it still lacks a commercial license.
Lauren Dreyer, Starlink’s vice president of business operations, addressed the situation at the India Mobile Congress in New Delhi. She reiterated the company’s commitment to the market, stating, “We stand ready to serve India.” Dreyer added that Starlink aims to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s goal of achieving universal connectivity across the country. The company claims to have more than 20 gateway sites and hundreds of antennas already positioned in India, adapted to meet local regulatory and data-sovereignty requirements.
SpaceX faces years of regulatory hurdles
Starlink has been attempting to enter the Indian market for more than five years. The country has over a billion internet subscribers, making it a critical target for satellite internet providers. Despite securing key regulatory approvals and forming partnerships with telecom giants Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel last year, the company has not yet begun commercial services. SpaceX appointed former Payoneer executive Prabhakar Jayakumar to lead its India operations in December as it prepares for a potential launch.
The company’s journey in India has faced significant setbacks. SpaceX first attempted to launch Starlink in 2021. In early 2022, the Indian government ordered the company to refund preorders for its equipment after determining that Starlink had begun “booking/rendering the satellite internet service” without the necessary licenses. This action highlighted the strict enforcement of regulatory protocols by Indian authorities.
Disagreements over spectrum allocation have also contributed to the delays. Starlink advocated for administrative assignment of satellite spectrum, while Reliance Jio argued for an auction process. India ultimately sided with Starlink’s preferred approach, deciding to allocate spectrum administratively rather than through an auction. This decision was intended to lower barriers to entry for satellite operators.
India’s largest telecom operators, Jio and Airtel, are also developing their own satellite internet services. Jio is collaborating with satellite operator SES, while Airtel is a major backer of Eutelsat OneWeb. Both companies have agreed to distribute Starlink in India, positioning the satellite network as a complement to their terrestrial infrastructure rather than a replacement.
While the timing for Starlink’s launch in India remains uncertain, the company has expanded its regional presence. Starlink recently launched its Mobile Direct-to-Cell service in neighboring Bangladesh, allowing ordinary smartphones to connect to satellites. Requests for comment from Starlink, the Indian Ministry of Communications, Reliance Jio, and Bharti Airtel were not immediately returned.
Source: TechCrunch
