Starlink has responded to Reliance Industries amid the ongoing dispute over Elon Musk's satellite internet company's entry into India, asserting that it is ready to provide high-speed internet services in the country.
In a post on X on Friday, October 16, Starlink said it had worked closely with Indian regulators, industry stakeholders and operators for more than five years. The company also stated that it had built dedicated infrastructure in India and secured the requisite government approvals.
"We have worked closely with regulators, industry and operators in India for 5+ years, and built a network of dedicated systems, gateways, and other infrastructure all in-country to exclusively serve Indian traffic safely and securely - and all with the requisite government approvals. Starlink is ready to connect India with high-speed internet," the company said.
The statement came after Reliance Industries responded to Musk's recent remarks about India's satellite communications market, emphasising that it welcomed competition but expected every company to comply with Indian laws and policies.
Starlink responds to Reliance's statement
Starlink's response followed Reliance Industries' statement on Friday, in which the Mukesh Ambani-led company said it had never feared competition and viewed it as a test of which company served customers better.
Reliance also welcomed competition in the satellite communications sector, including from Starlink, while stressing that all operators must follow the country's regulatory framework.
The company highlighted the growth of Reliance Jio, which entered India's telecom market in 2016 and has since expanded its customer base to more than 530 million users.
Reliance further stated that the government applies the same process to Indian and foreign applicants. It added that Jio's own satellite communication services were also awaiting the necessary clearances.
Why are Elon Musk and Reliance at loggerheads?
The exchange comes amid an escalating public dispute over Starlink's entry into India's satellite internet market.
Musk has criticised the country's satellite communications framework and alleged that powerful business interests are attempting to preserve a dominant position in the market. In recent posts on X, he questioned the influence of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani over decisions concerning Starlink's entry.
Reliance rejected the suggestion that it feared competition, maintaining that the sector should operate under the same rules for every participant.
The Ministry of Communications has also rejected allegations that India's regulatory framework is unfair or discriminatory, describing such claims as baseless and misconceived.
The dispute has brought renewed attention to the regulatory requirements that satellite internet providers must meet before launching commercial services in India.
Starlink's India launch still depends on regulatory clearances
Although Starlink has secured a satellite communications licence in India, this does not automatically permit it to begin commercial operations.
Satellite internet providers must meet security requirements and obtain spectrum assignment under the applicable regulatory framework before offering services to customers.
Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has said that Starlink, Reliance's Jio Satcom and Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb have secured satellite communications licences. However, the companies must complete the remaining regulatory requirements before launching commercial services.
The government has also been working on the framework for satellite spectrum pricing, with spectrum assignment linked to the fulfilment of the prescribed conditions.
What the Starlink-Reliance dispute means for India's satellite internet market
India's satellite internet market is attracting growing interest from domestic and international players seeking to expand connectivity beyond conventional mobile and broadband networks.
Starlink's satellite-based services could help connect remote regions and areas where terrestrial broadband infrastructure is limited. Reliance's Jio Satcom and Eutelsat OneWeb are also pursuing opportunities in the sector.
Despite their current differences, Reliance and SpaceX had previously signed an agreement to explore ways to make Starlink services available to Indian customers through Jio's retail network.
The latest exchange highlights the growing competition in India's satellite communications industry. However, the timing of commercial launches will depend on regulatory approvals, spectrum allocation and compliance with the country's security requirements.
