Science & Tech · Big Tech & Internet · 39 mins ago
Reliance welcomes Starlink competition, says Indian laws apply to all
Reliance Industries says it welcomes Starlink in India’s satellite communications market, but all companies must follow Indian laws.
The statement follows Elon Musk’s accusations that unnamed Indian business interests are blocking Starlink’s entry.
Reliance said Jio’s own satellite services also await government clearances.
Starlink, Jio Satellite Communications and Eutelsat OneWeb are all undergoing security assessments under the same regulatory process, according to the government.
The companies need security clearance before seeking spectrum to provide satellite services.
A licence alone does not allow them to begin commercial operations, so launches depend on further government approvals.
Reliance Industries said it welcomes Starlink competition in India’s satellite communications market but expects all companies to follow Indian laws and policies.
The company said Jio’s satellite services are also awaiting government clearances.
Reliance said the government applies the same approval process to Indian and foreign applicants.
The response followed Elon Musk’s allegations that Indian business interests were blocking Starlink’s entry.
Starlink and other licensed satellite operators still need to meet security conditions before seeking spectrum assignment.
- Who
- Reliance Industries responded to Elon Musk’s allegations about Starlink’s entry into India.
- What
- Reliance said it welcomes Starlink competition and that all operators must comply with Indian laws. It said Jio’s satellite services await clearances.
- When
- Friday, October 16, 2026.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- Musk had alleged that Indian business interests were blocking Starlink’s entry into the Indian market.
Reliance Industries and the Indian government
Elon Musk
Approval process
Reliance Industries and the Indian government
Reliance said the government applies the same process to Indian and foreign applicants. The government said the rules are fair and non-discriminatory.
Elon Musk
Musk alleged that Indian business interests were blocking Starlink to preserve a monopolistic hold on the market.
Market entry
Reliance Industries and the Indian government
Reliance said it welcomes Starlink competition, provided every player follows Indian laws and policies.
Elon Musk
Musk said Starlink was being blocked from entering India.
Jio entered India’s telecom market, according to Reliance.
Musk alleged that unnamed oligarchs were blocking Starlink’s entry into India.
The communications ministry said satellite operators must demonstrate compliance with security conditions before seeking spectrum assignment.
Reliance said it welcomes Starlink competition and that Jio’s satellite services await clearances.
- Jio customers
- More than 530 million
- Jio market entry
- 2016
- Licensed operators named
- Starlink, Jio Satellite Communications and Eutelsat OneWeb
- Approval prerequisite
- Security conditions must be met before operators seek spectrum assignment
5 sources
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What people are saying
We welcome competition in satellite communications, including Starlink
At Reliance, we have never feared competition. We see it as the truest test of who serves the customer best
Unfortunately, we are being blocked by certain oligarchs in order to maintain their monopolistic chokehold on the Indian people. You can guess who they are...This is a crime against the people of India!