Elon Musk questions Ambani’s influence as Starlink India launch stalls

Elon Musk has cast doubt on the influence wielded by Indian billionaire Mukesh Ambani as SpaceX faces delays in launching its Starlink satellite internet service in the country. Musk's remarks, shared on X, intensified a debate about regulatory roadblocks, following India's rejection of Musk's claims that certain powerful business interests were obstructing Starlink's entry.

Musk specifically accused unnamed "oligarchs" of blocking Starlink's launch in India, aiming to maintain their grip on the market, without naming them or providing proof. He called the alleged obstruction a "crime against the people of India" and argued that Starlink could provide affordable, high-speed internet to those without access.

Three hours later, India's Ministry of Communications defended its regulatory framework for satellite communications, stating it is "fair and non-discriminatory." The ministry noted that Starlink and two other licensed satellite operators are all at "broadly the same regulatory stage," and all are currently undergoing security assessments.

Musk further questioned Ambani's influence on Thursday, asking if Ambani truly controls India. Starlink has been trying to enter India for over five years, despite securing crucial regulatory approvals and partnering with telecom giants Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel in the last year. SpaceX has also established a local team in December, appointing former Payoneer executive Prabhakar Jayakumar to lead its operations in the country.

Musk's comments followed a presentation by Starlink's vice president of business operations, Lauren Dreyer, at the India Mobile Congress, where she reaffirmed the company's commitment to the market. Starlink claims it has over 20 gateway sites and hundreds of antennas in India, adapting its operations to meet regulatory, security, and data sovereignty requirements.

SpaceX sees Starlink as a complement to India's existing telecom networks, not a replacement. The company initially tried to enter India in 2021 but had to refund preorders in 2022 after the government rejected its service before obtaining necessary licenses. Starlink's approach to spectrum allocation, which bypassed an auction, aligned with India's decision to allocate satellite spectrum administratively.

Despite the ongoing legal and regulatory hurdles, the Indian market remains a target for Starlink, with the company launching Starlink Mobile in neighboring Bangladesh recently. As of now, the exact timeline for Starlink's official launch in India remains uncertain.