Elon Musk has escalated his public criticism of Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani, accusing the Reliance Industries chairman of obstructing the launch of Starlink satellite internet in India. Musk suggested on social media platform X that Ambani wields excessive influence over the Indian government to maintain a monopoly on telecommunications services.
The comments came as SpaceX continues to seek regulatory approval to begin commercial operations in the country. Musk posted a message on Friday asking Ambani if he would “consider allowing Starlink to compete,” arguing that the satellite service could provide internet access to unconnected areas and help small businesses reach global markets.
“Naturally, you would prefer to maintain your monopolistic exploitation of the great people of India,” Musk wrote. He further questioned Ambani’s political influence in a separate post, asking if the billionaire was the “real boss of India.” Reliance Jio, the telecom arm of Reliance Industries, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Government Rejects Monopoly Claims
India’s Ministry of Communications issued a statement on Thursday rejecting Musk’s allegations. The ministry described the country’s regulatory framework for satellite communications as “fair and non-discriminatory.” It noted that Starlink and two other licensed satellite operators are currently undergoing security assessments required before spectrum allocation.
The ministry emphasized that all three companies are at “broadly the same regulatory stage,” contradicting Musk’s suggestion that Starlink was being singled out. Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia also pushed back against the accusations on Friday, stating that India does not allow monopolies in any sector.
SpaceX has spent years navigating the complex regulatory landscape in India. The company previously signed distribution agreements with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel to offer Starlink services once approvals were granted. However, commercial operations have not yet received the final go-ahead from New Delhi.
Competition in Indian Telecom Market
The dispute highlights the intense competition in India’s telecommunications sector. Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel are also seeking to launch their own satellite internet services. Jio operates a joint venture with Luxembourg-based SES, while Airtel holds a major stake in Eutelsat OneWeb, which is working to provide satellite connectivity in the region.
Earlier conflicts between Starlink and Jio centered on how satellite spectrum should be allocated. Musk’s company advocated for an administrative assignment process, whereas Jio pushed for an auction. New Delhi ultimately decided to allocate the spectrum administratively for Starlink.
India represents a significant market opportunity for Musk, with over a billion internet users. However, expanding his business interests there has proven difficult. Tesla, another of Musk’s companies, launched in India last year but recorded only 699 vehicle deliveries in its first twelve months. High import duties initially pushed the price of the Model Y to nearly double its U.S. cost, though prices were lowered earlier this year.
Musk’s recent attacks follow a pattern of frustration with Indian regulatory hurdles. He previously accused unnamed “oligarchs” of blocking Starlink to protect their business interests. The Indian government has consistently maintained that its processes are transparent and applied equally to all operators.
The standoff between SpaceX and Indian regulators continues as the company waits for final security clearances. Industry observers note that the situation underscores the challenges foreign tech firms face when entering India’s heavily regulated and competitive market.
Source: TechCrunch
