1 hr ago
Musk Mocks Ambani as Starlink Awaits India Approval
Elon Musk wants his Starlink internet service to begin operating in India.
He jokingly called business leader Mukesh Ambani “Prime Minister Ambani” and asked him to let Starlink compete.
Musk says Starlink could bring internet to places that do not have good access.
He also says it could help students, small businesses, and people during natural disasters.
Musk has accused powerful business interests of holding up the service.
India’s government says its rules are fair and apply to all three licensed satellite operators.
The companies still need to complete security checks.
The government also needs to decide how satellite spectrum will be priced and assigned.
On October 9, 2026, Elon Musk sarcastically called Mukesh Ambani “Prime Minister Ambani” and asked him to allow Starlink to compete in India.
Musk said Starlink could connect underserved communities, expand educational and business opportunities, and help save lives during natural disasters.
Musk has alleged that unnamed oligarchs are blocking Starlink to protect a monopoly, and said the company has spent five years meeting Indian requirements.
India’s government says its satellite communications licensing framework is fair and non-discriminatory, and that all three licensed operators are at broadly the same regulatory stage.
Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said operators must meet security conditions and await spectrum assignment; pricing discussions are ongoing.
- Who
- Elon Musk, Mukesh Ambani, India’s government, and the three licensed satellite operators: Starlink, Jio Satcom, and Eutelsat OneWeb.
- What
- Musk asked Ambani to allow Starlink to compete in India and alleged that powerful interests were blocking its entry; the government defended its licensing process.
- Where
- India; Jyotiraditya Scindia addressed the issue at India Mobile Congress in New Delhi.
- When
- Musk’s latest post was published Friday, October 9, 2026; related posts and government statements appeared earlier that week.
- Why
- Starlink is awaiting security assessments and spectrum assignment before it can begin commercial services in India.
Musk’s allegations and case for entry
Government’s response
Whether Starlink is being unfairly held back
Musk’s allegations and case for entry
Musk alleged that unnamed oligarchs were blocking Starlink to preserve a monopoly and questioned whether Ambani was behind the delay.
Government’s response
The government called claims of unfair or discriminatory treatment baseless and said all three licensed operators were at broadly the same regulatory stage.
How Starlink could benefit India
Musk’s allegations and case for entry
Musk said Starlink could connect underserved areas, support education and small businesses, and help save lives when other communications systems fail during disasters.
Government’s response
Scindia said the government is technology agnostic and that customers should choose among services in a free market; operators must meet security conditions and obtain spectrum assignment.
Key facts
- Musk’s latest post
- October 9, 2026
- Satellite operators with licences
- Starlink, Jio Satcom, and Eutelsat OneWeb
- Outstanding regulatory steps
- Security assessments and spectrum assignment
- Spectrum pricing
- The government is considering a pricing system; the telecom minister said TRAI and the telecom department were close to a decision.
- Government position
- The licensing framework is fair and non-discriminatory, and the three operators are at broadly the same regulatory stage.
- Musk’s stated benefits
- Connectivity for underserved areas, educational and business opportunities, and communications during natural disasters.
- Security review
- The Ministry of Home Affairs was looking into satellite communications security issues, according to Minister of State for Communications Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani.
Quotes
Jyotiraditya Scindia
India’s telecom minister
“Let me set the record straight. For us, the Department of Telecommunications, we are technology agnostic... Our job is to be able to provide the bouquet of services to every single customer. It is for the customer to choose in a free market which service he or she prefers, and within that service bouquet, which company's service he or she prefers.”
livemint.com
“Dear Prime Minister Ambani, please accept my humble apologies for not realizing that you are the real boss of India. Naturally, you would prefer to maintain your monopolistic exploitation of the great people of India, but would you nonetheless consider allowing Starlink to compete?”
telegraphindia.com
indianexpress.com
livemint.com
Sources
Related news
Musk Targets Ambani Over Starlink’s India Market Entry
Musk Questions Ambani as Starlink Awaits India Security Clearance
Musk Escalates Criticism Over Starlink’s Delayed India Entry
Musk, Rahul Gandhi Trade Posts Over Starlink’s India Entry
Musk Renews Starlink Pitch as India Reviews Security Clearances
Musk Accuses ‘Oligarchs’ of Blocking Starlink’s India Launch
Starlink Delay Raises Security Questions, Not Monopoly Proof
India Nears Finalisation of Satellite Spectrum Pricing Framework
Reliance Jio Builds Technology Stack Ahead of Proposed IPO
Ram Madhav Says Starlink Spectrum Decision Will Follow Law
