India has firmly rejected Elon Musk’s assertion that SpaceX’s Starlink service is being unjustly blocked from entering the Indian market. The rejection follows accusations made by Musk, who alleged that unnamed domestic “oligarchs” were conspiring to maintain a monopolistic grip on India’s telecommunications sector.
On Wednesday, Musk took to social media to claim that the obstruction of Starlink’s launch constituted a “crime against the people of India,” arguing that the satellite internet service could provide affordable, high-speed connectivity to underserved populations. However, he provided no specific evidence or identification for the individuals he accused.
Hours after Musk’s comments, India’s Ministry of Communications issued a statement describing the nation’s regulatory framework for satellite communications as fair and non-discriminatory. The ministry clarified that Starlink, alongside two other licensed satellite operators, is currently at the same stage of regulatory processing. All three companies are undergoing mandatory security assessments before they can apply for spectrum, which refers to the radio frequencies utilized for signal transmission.
Starlink has been attempting to establish a presence in India for over five years. Despite securing essential regulatory approvals and forming partnerships with major telecom giants Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel in late 2025, the company has not yet commenced commercial services in the country, which boasts more than a billion internet subscribers. In December, SpaceX appointed Prabhakar Jayakumar, a former Payoneer executive, to head its India operations as part of these preparations.
The timing of Musk’s remarks coincided with the India Mobile Congress in New Delhi, where Lauren Dreyer, Starlink’s vice president of business operations, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to the region. Dreyer stated that Starlink is ready to serve India and assist Prime Minister Narendra Modi in achieving universal connectivity. She noted that the company has installed over 20 gateway sites and hundreds of antennas in the country, adapting its operations to meet local regulatory, security, and data-sovereignty requirements.
This ongoing dispute echoes earlier conflicts between Starlink and Indian authorities. In 2022, the government required SpaceX to refund preorders after it became evident that the company had begun booking satellite internet services prior to obtaining necessary licenses. Additionally, there was a significant disagreement regarding spectrum allocation; while Starlink advocated for administrative assignment, Reliance Jio favored an auction process that would have increased entry costs. India ultimately aligned with Starlink’s position in 2023.
Meanwhile, Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel are pursuing their own satellite internet initiatives. Jio is collaborating with satellite operator SES, while Airtel supports Eutelsat OneWeb, another licensed satellite operator in India. Although these giants are also distributing Starlink in India, they are simultaneously developing competing services.
While the specific timeline for Starlink’s launch in India remains uncertain, SpaceX recently introduced Starlink Mobile, a service connecting standard phones to satellites, in neighboring Bangladesh. Representatives for Starlink, the Ministry of Communications, Reliance Jio, and Bharti Airtel did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.
Unsubstantiated claims about oligarchs are concerning. Where is the evidence? Regulatory fairness should be the priority.
Interesting that Jio and Airtel are both distributors and competitors. Hypocrisy at its finest.
Five years? That’s a long time to wait for satellite internet. I hope it launches soon for rural areas.
The government is right; everyone follows the same security checks. This feels like a PR stunt to mask their own delays.
Finally, someone calls out the monopolistic practices of major telecom giants blocking competition.