Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Scindia Rejects Musk’s Monopoly Claim as Satcom Operators Await Clearance
India is deciding how companies can provide internet using satellites.
Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia says the government will not let one company control the whole market.
Reliance Jio, OneWeb and Starlink have licences, while Amazon is interested in applying.
The government has decided to assign satellite spectrum administratively instead of auctioning it.
Officials are still working on the prices companies will pay.
Each licensed company must pass its own security checks and meet required milestones before starting service.
Officials said security clearances were still pending.
Elon Musk says powerful business interests are holding Starlink back.
The government says the same rules apply to all operators and denies unfair treatment.
Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said India would not allow a monopoly in satellite communications and said the government had licensed multiple operators.
The licensed operators named are Reliance Jio, OneWeb and Starlink; Amazon is interested in a licence and must follow the prescribed process.
Spectrum will be assigned administratively rather than auctioned, while the final satellite-service pricing framework is still being determined.
Operators must separately complete security requirements and milestones before moving toward commercial operations; officials said final clearances were pending with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Elon Musk alleged vested business interests were blocking Starlink, while the government said operators face the same requirements and are at broadly similar regulatory stages.
- Who
- Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Elon Musk, and satellite operators Reliance Jio, OneWeb and Starlink; Amazon is interested in a licence.
- What
- Scindia rejected claims that India is blocking Starlink to preserve a monopoly and outlined the licensing, pricing and security process for satellite communications.
- When
- Friday, October 9, during the India Mobile Congress 2026; the articles do not specify a year for the date.
- Where
- India; Scindia spoke at the India Mobile Congress in New Delhi.
- Why
- The government says it is applying a common authorisation and security process as it prepares satellite communications services for commercial operation.
Government's position
Musk's position
Whether Starlink is being blocked unfairly
Government's position
The government rejects claims of discrimination and says all licensed satellite operators face the same regulatory and security requirements.
Musk's position
Musk alleged that powerful business interests or oligarchs were preventing Starlink from entering India despite years spent complying with Indian requirements.
Why services have not launched
Government's position
Officials say operators must complete individual security assessments and other milestones; final clearances were pending.
Musk's position
Musk attributes the delay to vested interests seeking to preserve market dominance; the articles do not report a specific response from him to the stated security-clearance process.
- Licensed operators named
- Reliance Jio, OneWeb and Starlink
- Interested company
- Amazon, which must follow the established licence process
- Spectrum approach
- Administrative assignment rather than auction
- Pricing framework
- A final decision is nearing; the Department of Telecommunications and TRAI have held discussions
- Security process
- Each operator must individually fulfil security requirements and milestones
- Clearance status
- Officials said final operational security clearances were pending with the Ministry of Home Affairs
- Government's position
- The Ministry of Communications said all licensed operators face the same requirements and are at broadly similar regulatory stages
Sources
"India Doesn't Allow Monopoly In Any Sector": Minister On Musk's Claims
India doesn’t allow monopolies in any sector: Jyotiraditya Scindia on Musk remarks
'India Does Not Allow Monopolies': Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia Rejects Elon Musk’s Satcom Claims As Operators Await Security Clearance | Video
'India Doesn't Allow Monopoly in Any Sector': Jyotiraditya Scindia Responds to Musk's Claims on Blocking of Starlink License
Starlink row: India rejects Musk’s ‘monopoly’ accusation, reveals Amazon also in satellite internet race