‘Have Never Feared Competition’: Reliance Responds To Elon Musk’s Starlink Allegations

Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) has responded to Elon Musk’s allegations that Indian business interests are blocking Starlink’s entry into the country, saying it has “never feared competition” and that Jio’s satellite services are also awaiting government clearances.

The statement follows Musk’s criticism of RIL CMD Mukesh Ambani, whom he accused of protecting his telecom interests and sarcastically described as the “real boss of India”.

“At Reliance, we have never feared competition. We see it as the truest test of who serves the customer best,” the conglomerate said. 

Citing the government’s position that the same approval process applies to domestic and foreign applicants, Reliance said Jio’s own satellite services are awaiting clearances.

“We welcome competition in satellite communications, including Starlink. Every player, Jio included, must serve the people of India and abide by the laws and policies of the land,” it added.

Reliance also pointed to Jio’s entry into India’s “crowded” telecom market in 2016, saying it has since grown to over 530 Mn customers. It credited Jio with providing affordable data and digital infrastructure, while saying India’s openness to domestic and international investment and innovation rests on the rule of law.

Musk initially targeted unnamed Indian business interests, whom he accused of blocking Starlink to maintain their “monopolistic chokehold” on the market. He subsequently singled out Ambani.

In another post, the CEO of SpaceX, which owns and operates Starlink, addressed Ambani as “Prime Minister Ambani”.

Musk also argued that satellite connectivity could expand internet access in remote areas, where poor connectivity limits educational opportunities and prevents small businesses from reaching global markets.

Satcom Operators Await Launch Clearances

The Centre has rejected Musk’s allegations of preferential treatment for domestic telecom players, saying India’s satellite communications rules are non-discriminatory.

The communications ministry said last week that all three licensed operators — Starlink, Reliance’s Jio Satellite Communications, and Bharti Enterprises-backed Eutelsat OneWeb — were undergoing security assessments and were at broadly the same regulatory stage.

The operators hold telecom licences to provide Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) services using non-geostationary satellite systems. However, they must demonstrate compliance with security conditions before seeking spectrum assignment. A telecom licence alone does not authorise commercial services.

In September, it was reported that Eutelsat OneWeb had sought urgent security clearance for its low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation, having waited more than 18 months since its security compliance demonstration in January 2025.

Speaking at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in New Delhi earlier this week, Bharti Enterprises chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal said OneWeb is significantly ahead of Starlink in the approval queue, having applied five years ago.

Mittal said its ground network has been ready for three years and its satellites have been orbiting over India for five years. He added that he would be happy if OneWeb received permission even a few days before Starlink.

Meanwhile, Starlink has reportedly reapplied to the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) for approval for its second-generation constellation of nearly 30,000 LEO satellites, which is expected to support capabilities such as direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity.

Starlink vice president of business operations Lauren Dreyer said earlier this month that the company has established 20 gateway sites in India, comprising hundreds of antennas.

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