Reliance Says It Fears No Competition as Starlink Eyes India
Jio’s parent company says all satellite internet operators must follow Indian laws as Elon Musk questions barriers to Starlink’s entry.
GG News Bureau
Mumbai, 16th Oct: Reliance Industries on Friday welcomed competition in India’s satellite communications sector, including Elon Musk’s Starlink, while stressing that every operator must comply with the country’s laws, policies and regulatory requirements.
In a statement posted on X, the company said India’s openness to investment and innovation rests on the rule of law and that the same approval process should apply to both Indian and foreign applicants. Reliance also noted that Jio’s own satellite services were awaiting clearances.
The company said it had never feared competition, pointing to Jio’s entry into India’s telecom market in 2016 as a newcomer. It said Jio had since built a customer base of more than 530 million people, while expanding access to affordable data and digital infrastructure.
The statement followed criticism from SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, who accused supporters of Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani of making contradictory arguments about Starlink’s potential entry into India. Musk argued that satellite internet competition would give consumers more choices, even if it reduced the profits of established players.
Musk has previously questioned regulatory barriers to Starlink’s commercial rollout in India and alleged that existing players benefit from limited competition. His remarks have intensified the debate over market access and competition in the country’s satellite communications sector.
Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has said the government does not intend to allow a monopoly in satellite communications. He also indicated that three companies were awaiting final approval for commercial licences.
Scindia added that India was close to finalising the pricing framework for satellite communication services. All licensed operators, including Starlink, must meet the prescribed security requirements before beginning commercial operations.
