Reliance Industries has responded to Elon Musk’s criticism over Starlink’s delayed entry into India, saying it welcomes competition in the satellite communications market and has never feared rivals. The company also stated that its own satellite internet services under Jio are awaiting regulatory clearances.
The statement, issued on October 16, follows Musk’s allegations that powerful business interests were preventing Starlink from launching in India to protect existing telecom operators. Musk had directly targeted Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani on social media, questioning the competitive environment and referring to him sarcastically as “Prime Minister Ambani”.
Reliance Says the Same Rules Apply to All
In its statement, Reliance said India welcomes domestic and international investment and innovation, but all companies must operate under the country’s laws and policies. The company cited the government’s position that the same regulatory process applies to Indian and foreign applicants.
Reliance also highlighted Jio’s growth since entering the telecom market in 2016. It said Jio has built a customer base of more than 530 million and expanded access to digital connectivity and affordable data. The company described competition as a test of which provider serves customers best.
Starlink and Jio Await Regulatory Clearances
Starlink, Jio Satellite Communications and Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb have received authorisations to pursue satellite communication services in India, but commercial launches remain subject to outstanding regulatory requirements, including security clearances and spectrum-related steps. The government has denied allegations of bias in the approval process.
Satellite broadband could expand internet access in remote and rural parts of India, where terrestrial networks can be difficult to deploy. However, operators must meet requirements relating to security, network monitoring and compliance with Indian law before beginning commercial services.
Competition in India’s Satellite Internet Market
Starlink’s proposed entry could bring another option to India’s large internet market, alongside services planned by Jio and OneWeb. The debate has also raised questions about spectrum allocation, pricing and the regulatory conditions that satellite operators must meet.
Reliance’s response comes days before the planned public offering of Jio Platforms, which Reuters reported was seeking a valuation of around $108 billion. The company’s statement reiterates its position that satellite communications should remain open to competition, provided all operators follow the same rules.
The timing places the dispute in the spotlight as India seeks to expand connectivity while attracting investment in digital infrastructure. The eventual launch timelines and pricing of satellite internet services will depend on regulatory approvals and the operators’ readiness to meet the required conditions.
