Bharti Enterprises Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal has said the group’s satellite communications venture, Eutelsat OneWeb, is ahead of Elon Musk’s Starlink in the queue for regulatory approvals to launch satellite internet services in India. His remarks come amid a public dispute over Starlink’s entry into the Indian market and the approvals required to begin commercial operations.
Speaking at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum 2026 in New Delhi, Mittal said Bharti had applied for approvals around five years ago, while its ground network had been ready for approximately three years. He added that the company’s satellites had been positioned over India for about five years.
Mittal said the group was ready to begin operations once the remaining clearances were received and expressed hope that OneWeb would secure permission before Starlink.
Starlink Entry Sparks Telecom Dispute
The comments follow criticism from SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, who alleged that powerful business interests in India were obstructing Starlink’s entry to protect their market positions. The remarks were widely interpreted as referring to major Indian telecom players, including Reliance Industries and Bharti Airtel.
India’s Communications Ministry has rejected allegations of a biased approval process, stating that the regulatory framework is fair and non-discriminatory. The government has said that Starlink, Jio Satellite Communications and Eutelsat OneWeb have secured relevant licences but are awaiting further requirements, including security clearances and spectrum-related steps, before launching commercial services.
OneWeb Awaits Final Clearances
Eutelsat OneWeb, backed by Bharti, has been preparing its satellite connectivity infrastructure for the Indian market. Mittal said the group could extend connectivity across the country once it receives the necessary permissions.
Satellite broadband could help improve internet access in remote areas and locations where conventional mobile and fixed-line networks are difficult to deploy. Bharti has also been involved in satellite connectivity services in Africa through its partnership with OneWeb.
Satellite Internet Competition in India
India’s satellite broadband market is attracting global and domestic players seeking to expand internet coverage beyond conventional telecom networks. Starlink, OneWeb and Jio’s satellite venture are among the companies seeking to establish commercial services.
The timing of regulatory approvals will influence when providers can begin operations and compete for customers. The sector’s development will also depend on security compliance, spectrum arrangements and the rollout of supporting infrastructure.
Mittal’s comments underline the competitive stakes as satellite internet providers prepare to enter a market with significant demand for broader and more reliable connectivity.
