Business · Companies · 2 days ago
Musk criticizes Ambani as Starlink awaits approval to launch in India
Elon Musk’s SpaceX wants to bring its Starlink satellite internet service to India, but it cannot yet begin commercial operations.
Musk has accused powerful business interests of blocking the launch and singled out Mukesh Ambani, whose Reliance group owns Jio, India’s largest mobile network.
India’s communications ministry rejects claims that Starlink is being treated unfairly, saying Starlink and two other satellite operators are at broadly the same stage of review.
They still need security clearances and satellite spectrum before they can launch.
The dispute comes as Jio and Bharti Airtel are also preparing satellite internet services, and both have agreements to distribute Starlink equipment and services if it receives approval.
Starlink could provide internet in remote areas where mobile networks and cables are difficult or costly to build.
The company’s launch remains pending while the required reviews are completed.
Elon Musk publicly questioned whether Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani was the “real boss of India” as Starlink awaited final approval to begin commercial service in the country.
Musk accused unnamed business interests of trying to block Starlink, while India’s Ministry of Communications said the approval framework was fair and non-discriminatory.
The ministry said Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite Communications were at broadly the same stage, awaiting security clearances and spectrum allocation.
Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel are also preparing satellite internet services, and both signed conditional agreements with SpaceX in March 2025 to distribute Starlink equipment and services.
Starlink has secured key licences in India but still needs final security clearances and spectrum allocation before it can launch commercially.
- Who
- Elon Musk, Mukesh Ambani, Starlink and India's Ministry of Communications
- What
- Musk accused powerful business interests of obstructing Starlink's entry into India and questioned Ambani's influence.
- When
- Wednesday and Thursday, October 2026
- Where
- India
- Why
- Starlink is awaiting final security clearances and spectrum allocation to launch commercial satellite internet service.
Elon Musk and Starlink
India's Ministry of Communications
Whether the approval process is fair
Elon Musk and Starlink
Musk accused unnamed powerful business interests of maintaining a telecom monopoly and questioned why Starlink still lacked a licence after years of compliance.
India's Ministry of Communications
The ministry said India's satellite communications framework and its application were fair and non-discriminatory.
Starlink's position in the approval process
Elon Musk and Starlink
Musk said Starlink was licensed in more than 165 countries and had spent five years complying with India's laws and requirements.
India's Ministry of Communications
The ministry said Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite Communications were at broadly the same approval stage, all awaiting security clearances and spectrum allocation.
Starlink began taking preorders in India before it had the required licences, and the Ministry of Communications advised the public not to subscribe.
Reliance lobbied for satellite spectrum to be allocated through an auction rather than an administrative assignment, and Indian authorities reported recovering Starlink equipment in two investigations.
Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel signed agreements with SpaceX to distribute Starlink equipment and services in India, subject to government approval.
Musk accused unnamed business interests of trying to block Starlink as senior executives from Starlink, Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel attended the India Mobile Congress in Delhi.
Musk singled out Ambani, while the Ministry of Communications said three satellite operators were at broadly the same stage of the approval process.
- Starlink's reported international licences
- More than 165 countries
- Operators awaiting approvals
- Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite Communications
- Jio and SpaceX agreements
- Signed in March 2025; distribution in India is subject to government approval
- Reliance Jio customer base
- More than half a billion customers, according to Reliance
- Remaining requirements for Starlink
- Final security clearances and spectrum allocation
What people are saying
Is Ambani the real boss of India?
The suggestion that the framework or its application is unfair or discriminatory is baseless and misconceived.
We want to be heads down and deliver value to our Indian consumers.
Sources
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