India has dismissed Elon Musk’s assertion that Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by SpaceX, is being unjustly obstructed from launching within its borders. This response arises as SpaceX encounters difficulties in transforming years of regulatory efforts and collaborations with the nation’s leading telecom companies into a successful commercial rollout in one of the largest internet markets globally.
On Wednesday, Musk alleged that unnamed “oligarchs” were hindering Starlink’s introduction in India to preserve what he termed their “monopolistic chokehold” on the market, without specifying who they are or providing any substantiation for his claims. He characterized the purported obstruction as a “crime against the people of India” and contended that Starlink could deliver affordable, high-speed internet to those lacking access.
Shortly thereafter, India’s Ministry of Communications responded, asserting that its regulatory framework for satellite communications is “fair and non-discriminatory.” The ministry stated that Starlink, along with two other licensed satellite operators, is at “broadly the same regulatory stage.” It further noted that all three companies are currently undergoing security assessments that must be finalized before they can apply for spectrum, the radio frequencies utilized by satellites to transmit signals.
Starlink has invested over five years in efforts to penetrate the Indian market, which boasts more than a billion internet users. However, it has yet to commence commercial operations despite obtaining essential regulatory approvals and forming partnerships with telecom giants Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel last year. SpaceX has also established a local team in preparation for a launch, appointing former Payoneer executive Prabhakar Jayakumar to oversee its operations in India in December.
Musk’s remarks followed shortly after Lauren Dreyer, Starlink’s vice president of business operations, spoke at the India Mobile Congress, a telecom industry conference in New Delhi, where she reaffirmed the company’s dedication to the Indian market. “We stand ready to serve India,” Dreyer stated, emphasizing that Starlink aims to support Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of achieving universal connectivity throughout the country.
Starlink has indicated that it already operates more than 20 gateway sites (ground stations that connect its satellites to the internet) and has deployed hundreds of antennas across India, adapting its operations to comply with the nation’s regulatory, security, and data sovereignty requirements. Furthermore, SpaceX has positioned its satellite network as a supplementary service to — rather than a substitute for — India’s terrestrial telecom networks.
SpaceX initially sought to launch Starlink in India in 2021. However, the company had to refund preorders for its equipment in early 2022 after the Indian government criticized it for “booking/rendering the satellite internet service” prior to obtaining the necessary licenses. Starlink has also previously encountered disputes with India’s largest telecom operators regarding the allocation of satellite spectrum. Starlink advocated for spectrum to be assigned administratively, while Reliance Jio contended that it should be auctioned — a stance that could have increased the costs associated with Starlink’s entry.
Ultimately, India aligned with Starlink’s preferred method, opting to allocate satellite spectrum administratively rather than through an auction process. Jio and Airtel, the two largest telecommunications companies in India, are also developing their own satellite internet services, even as they have agreed to distribute Starlink within the country. Jio is collaborating with satellite operator SES on satellite broadband, while Airtel is a significant investor in Eutelsat OneWeb, another licensed satellite operator in India.
While the timeline for Starlink’s launch in India remains uncertain, the company recently introduced Starlink Mobile, a service that connects standard phones to satellites, in neighboring Bangladesh this week. Starlink, India’s Ministry of Communications, Reliance Jio, and Bharti Airtel have not yet responded to requests for comments.
