Archive · 12 Oct 2026
Jio and OneWeb Cleared Checks Before Starlink, Still Await Spectrum
Jio, OneWeb, and Starlink want to offer satellite internet in India.
Before they can begin, they must meet security and technical rules and receive spectrum.
Records say Jio completed its demonstration first, followed by OneWeb, while Starlink did so later.
Even so, none of the three has received spectrum assignment.
Elon Musk says Indian business interests are blocking Starlink, but the government says the rules are fair.
Indian telecom companies also disagreed about whether spectrum should be auctioned or assigned administratively.
The government chose administrative allocation.
Satellite security checks are complicated because satellites and some routes for internet traffic may be outside India.
DoT records say Jio completed its security and technical demonstration on March 20, 2025, and OneWeb completed its in the second half of 2025.
Starlink conducted its demonstration in early 2026, later than Jio and OneWeb.
All three operators are awaiting spectrum assignment, which requires security clearance.
The government says satellite communications rules are fair and non-discriminatory; Elon Musk has accused Indian business interests of obstructing Starlink.
Telecom companies disagreed on spectrum allocation, and the government chose administrative allocation under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
- Who
- Jio Satellite Communications, Bharti-backed OneWeb, Starlink, and the Department of Telecommunications.
- What
- Jio and OneWeb completed security and technical demonstrations before Starlink, but all three are awaiting spectrum assignment.
- When
- Jio's demonstration was March 20, 2025; OneWeb's was in the second half of 2025; Starlink's was in early 2026.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- Spectrum assignment depends on security clearance, which is intended to ensure operators can meet Indian monitoring, interception, and legal requirements.
Musk's allegations
Government and regulatory record
Whether Indian business interests are blocking Starlink
Musk's allegations
Elon Musk accused Indian oligarchs of obstructing competition and singled out Mukesh Ambani.
Government and regulatory record
The government says the regulatory framework is fair and non-discriminatory; DoT records show Jio and OneWeb completed demonstrations before Starlink, while all three await spectrum.
How satellite spectrum should be allocated
Musk's allegations
Reliance Jio and Vodafone Idea supported auctions, arguing for a level playing field with terrestrial telecom companies.
Government and regulatory record
OneWeb and Airtel favoured administrative allocation, saying auctions could create barriers to competition; the government selected administrative allocation.
- Jio demonstration
- Completed March 20, 2025.
- OneWeb demonstration
- Conducted in the second half of 2025.
- Starlink demonstration
- Conducted in early 2026.
- OneWeb GMPCS licence
- Received in April 2022, after a letter of intent in August 2021.
- Jio authorisation
- Jio applied for a GMPCS licence in November 2021 and received authorisation in October 2022.
- Starlink authorisation
- Received GMPCS authorisation on June 6, 2025.
- Spectrum allocation policy
- The government chose administrative allocation under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.