India rebuffs Musk's Starlink discrimination claim
Original: India rejects Elon Musk’s claim of discrimination over Starlink launch
Why This Matters
India is one of the world's largest untapped satellite internet markets, with 1B+ subscribers.
India's Ministry of Communications rejected Elon Musk's claim that Starlink is being unfairly blocked, saying its satellite rules are 'fair and non-discriminatory' and all three licensed operators are at the same regulatory stage.
Elon Musk on Wednesday accused unnamed 'oligarchs' of blocking Starlink's India launch to preserve their 'monopolistic chokehold' on the market, calling it a 'crime against the people of India.' He offered no evidence and named no one. India's Ministry of Communications responded within hours, stating its satellite communications framework is 'fair and non-discriminatory' and that Starlink, along with two other licensed operators, is at 'broadly the same regulatory stage.' All three are undergoing mandatory security assessments before they can apply for spectrum.
Starlink has been trying to enter India since 2021 — a market with over a billion internet subscribers — but has yet to begin commercial service. It secured key regulatory approvals and signed partnerships with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel last year, built more than 20 gateway ground stations, and deployed hundreds of antennas. SpaceX also hired former Payoneer executive Prabhakar Jayakumar to head India operations in December. The same day Musk posted his accusations, Starlink VP Lauren Dreyer told the India Mobile Congress conference in New Delhi: 'We stand ready to serve India.'