Elon Musk has questioned Mukesh Ambani’s influence as Starlink faces delays in launching satellite internet services in India, prompting a response from Indian authorities over regulatory approvals.
Webdesk Zunaira Fatima
Elon Musk Challenges Mukesh Ambani Over Starlink’s Delayed India Launch
Elon Musk has questioned the influence of Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani as his satellite internet company, Starlink, continues to face delays in launching commercial services in India. The dispute has drawn attention to growing competition in the country’s telecommunications and satellite internet market.
Musk, the owner of SpaceX and Starlink, recently accused powerful business interests of attempting to block Starlink’s entry into India to protect their market dominance. He later directly questioned Ambani’s influence, asking on social media platform X whether Ambani was the “real boss of India.”
Ambani heads Reliance Industries, which owns Reliance Jio, one of India’s largest mobile network operators. Musk argued that Starlink could provide high-speed internet access to people living in remote areas where traditional broadband and mobile networks are difficult to establish.
India’s Ministry of Communications rejected suggestions that the approval process was unfair or discriminatory. The ministry stated that Starlink and two other satellite communication operators, Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite Communications, were at broadly similar stages of the regulatory process. All three companies are awaiting security clearances and spectrum allocation before launching commercial services.
Starlink has been attempting to enter the Indian market since 2021 and has obtained key licences. However, it still requires final approvals to begin operations. The company has also signed agreements with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel to distribute Starlink equipment and services, subject to government approval.
The competition is becoming more complex as Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel pursue their own satellite internet plans. Jio is developing satellite communication technology, while Airtel is associated with Eutelsat OneWeb, another competitor in the market.
Security concerns have also played a role in the approval process. Indian authorities have previously raised questions about Starlink equipment discovered during investigations, although Musk has maintained that Starlink’s service was not active in India.
The disagreement highlights the challenges facing satellite internet companies seeking access to major markets. While Musk says Starlink could help improve connectivity for underserved communities, questions remain about regulatory approval, competition and affordability for Indian consumers.
