Elon Musk accused established telecom interests in India of obstructing SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service, calling the alleged actions “a crime against the Indian people.” Starlink has signed memorandums of understanding with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, but has yet to launch commercial service in the country. Market competition and regulatory approval remain central to its entry prospects.
Jio and Airtel hold more than 80% of the market
India's telecom and internet services market is dominated by Jio, owned by Mukesh Ambani, and Airtel, led by Sunil Mittal. Data from India's telecom regulator show that the two companies together account for more than 80% of the market. Jio, the country's largest telecom operator, drew widespread attention after entering the market about a decade ago and sharply cutting prices for high-speed mobile data.
In a post on X on Wednesday, Musk said Starlink was being blocked by “certain oligopolists” seeking to preserve monopolistic control over Indian consumers. He did not name any companies, but said people could work out who he meant. Musk later said Starlink's arrival would bring high-speed, affordable internet to consumers who currently cannot afford it.
Starlink agreements have yet to lead to a launch
SpaceX announced last year that it had reached agreements with Jio and Airtel, India's second-largest telecom operator, to bring Starlink internet services to the country. Little progress has been publicly disclosed since the agreements were signed, and Starlink is not yet commercially available in India.
Jio is also developing its own satellite communications business. In June, Jio Platforms announced plans to launch low-Earth-orbit satellite communications services in India. Chairman Akash Ambani, Mukesh Ambani's son, told shareholders that the company was working with major global satellite constellation operators and planned to lease satellite capacity to speed up the rollout of satellite connectivity.
Starlink will therefore need to clear licensing and security reviews while potentially competing with major domestic telecom companies in satellite communications. For SpaceX, Jio and Airtel are both prospective partners and powerful market participants with large customer bases and extensive infrastructure.
SpaceX says about 11,000 satellites are in orbit
Lauren Dreyer, SpaceX's vice president of Starlink operations, said on Wednesday at the India Mobile Congress that about 11,000 Starlink satellites are in orbit, serving users in more than 170 countries and territories.
Dreyer said Starlink works with governments and private companies to connect remote areas through its satellite network and help narrow the digital divide. She said the company had been working toward an India launch for years and cited its memorandums of understanding with Airtel and Reliance Jio.
Satellite internet can serve not only as an alternative to urban broadband, but also connect remote areas, maritime users and places with limited terrestrial network coverage. India has a vast internet user base, but network availability and service quality vary by region. Starlink's launch timeline will shape its ability to attract local users and determine the pace of its investment in the market.
Security review remains a regulatory concern
Alongside competition, Starlink faces regulatory security scrutiny in India. Authorities previously put the approval process on hold over concerns that Starlink terminals could be used before the service had received full authorization. SpaceX has rejected the security concerns.
The Indian government has not announced a firm date for Starlink's commercial launch. Musk has blamed established telecom interests for the delay, but public information does not establish whether commercial competition, regulatory requirements or other factors are primarily responsible for the slow approval process. Any response from Jio, Airtel or Reliance Industries could also shape expectations for the agreements' next steps.