Reliance Industries, run by Mukesh Ambani, has been trying to contain the growing debate in the industry about Elon Musk’s Starlink and its plans to enter India’s satellite internet market.
The company insists competition is a good thing and notes that Jio’s satellite communication services are also under government approval.
The statement, published on October 16, came after Musk had frequently queried the slow pace of Starlink's commercial launch in India.
And SpaceX chief Elon Musk had said that powerful business interests were preventing the company from entering the country to protect existing telecom operators.
Reliance Responds to Musk’s Allegations
Reliance said it welcomes investment and innovation from India’s domestic and international companies in line with laws and regulations. “We are not only for Indian but those who are not with India, we are also for them,” he said.
Reliance said its own satellite services are waiting to be cleared, saying it has never feared competition.
Jio’s growth in India’s telecom market since it came to market in 2016, the company said. Jio has built a customer base of over 530 million users in India and has provided affordable mobile data, Reliance said.
Reliance said competition should ultimately be judged by which company provides better services to customers. It also explicitly welcomed Starlink into the satellite communications sector.
Musk Questions Delays in Starlink’s India Launch
But Musk has routinely criticized the time taken to launch Starlink’s satellite internet services in India. He questioned why the company was yet to enter the commercial market after many years of talks with Indian regulators.
In posts on X, Musk directly referred to Ambani and questioned whether Reliance’s position in India’s telecom market was influencing Starlink’s entry. He argued that allowing Starlink to compete would give consumers more choices and put pressure on existing providers.
The Indian government has denied unfair treatment, maintaining that the regulatory framework is non-discriminatory. Satellite internet operators must meet the security and regulatory requirements before they can operate commercial services.
Jio and Starlink Await Final Clearances
Starlink, Jio Satellite Communications and Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb have received licences to provide satellite communication services in India. But final security clearances and other requirements are still required before commercial operations can begin.
Satellite broadband could expand internet access in rural and remote parts of India, areas where conventional telecom infrastructure is not easy or expensive to establish.
Starlink will use its satellite network to offer high-speed internet, while Jio's satellite venture could strengthen Reliance’s presence in the expanding connectivity market.
The competition may eventually offer Indian consumers more internet options, but pricing, coverage, equipment costs and service availability will determine adoption.
Competition Could Reshape India’s Internet Market
The dispute is indicative of the growth in satellite connectivity in India’s digital economy. Jio’s low-cost mobile data started the way so Starlink wants to enter the market with satellite-based broadband services.
Reliance’s latest statement makes its position clear: it is open to competition, but all companies must comply with Indian regulations. Now the time is spent on the issues of the clearances needed for satellite internet service providers to start commercial operations.
If more providers come into the market in the future, consumers would have more choice, especially in areas with limited broadband access.
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