Musk Challenges Ambani Over Starlink Approval in India

Elon Musk has escalated a dispute with Mukesh Ambani over Starlink's delayed entry into India, accusing supporters of Reliance Jio of opposing competition while Indian officials say satellite internet approvals follow a fair process.

According to BBC and NDTV reports, Starlink, Reliance Jio's satellite venture, and Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb have received licences but still require security clearances and spectrum allocation before commercial launches.

Musk previously questioned whether Ambani was the "real boss of India" after alleging unnamed business interests were blocking Starlink's launch. The Indian government rejected claims that the approval framework was discriminatory.

"certain oligarchs" described as maintaining a "monopolistic chokehold" on Indian consumers were accused by Musk, who wrote that blocking Starlink was "a crime against the people of India".

India's Ministry of Communications responded that three satellite operators were at a similar approval stage and rejected allegations against the regulatory system.

"The suggestion that the framework or its application is unfair or discriminatory is baseless and misconceived," said India's Ministry of Communications.

Musk continued his criticism on X, pointing to Starlink's approvals in more than 165 countries and its five-year engagement with Indian requirements.

"Starlink is licensed in over 165 countries and has spent five years complying with every single law and requirement of the government of India, so why still no license? Is Ambani the real boss of India?" said Musk.

Reliance Jio chairman Akash Ambani said the company was focused on its satellite communications plans and regulatory process rather than the public dispute.

"We want to be heads down and deliver value to our Indian consumers," said Akash Ambani, chairman of Reliance Jio Infocomm.

SpaceX executive Lauren Dreyer said Starlink had worked with Indian regulators and built security controls into its network to meet requirements. Musk has argued satellite connectivity could help areas with limited internet access.

"Starlink in India would enable high-speed, affordable internet connectivity for those who can't afford current prices or who don't have a connection at all!" said Musk.

Musk later criticized online supporters of Ambani, saying their arguments about Starlink's competitiveness were contradictory.

"ridiculous arguments" and "absurd hypocrisy and hyperbole" were terms Musk used to describe those positions.

"On the one hand, they say Starlink couldn't possibly compete with the amazing low prices offered by Ambani's de facto monopoly in India and then, in the same breath, they essentially claim that Starlink would be too strong of a competitor! This is absurd hypocrisy and hyperbole," said Musk.

Musk argued that competition would increase consumer choice and said pricing would adjust if customers found Starlink too expensive.

"Ambani's profits will be lower, but he is not going out of business. And, obviously, if Starlink is too expensive in India, no one will buy it, so SpaceX will need to make pricing affordable," said Musk.

He also posted a sarcastic message addressing Ambani after accusing Reliance of protecting its market position.

"Prime Minister Ambani, Please accept my humble apologies for not realising that you are the real boss of India. Naturally, you would prefer to maintain your monopolistic exploitation of the great people of India, but would you nonetheless consider allowing Starlink to compete?" said Musk.

Musk said Starlink could improve access for people without reliable connections and provide support during emergencies.

"Starlink would change their lives for the better," said Musk.

"So you would also be helping save men, women and children throughout India," said Musk.

Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said India applies the same rules to technology companies seeking to provide services in the country.

"Let me set the record straight. For us, the Department of Telecommunications, we are technology agnostic... Our job is to be able to provide the bouquet of services to every single customer. It is for the customer to choose in a free market which service he or she prefers, and within that service bouquet, which company's service he or she prefers," said Jyotiraditya Scindia, Communications Minister.