India defends satellite internet approval process after Elon Musk jab
Musk has claimed unnamed entities are blocking Starlink's launch to maintain their monopoly.
Elon Musk alleged on Wednesday that certain wealthy individuals were obstructing SpaceX's efforts to launch its Starlink satellite broadband service in India, likely referring to billionaire business magnates Mukesh Ambani and Sunil Bharti Mittal. SpaceX has been awaiting official approval from Prime Minister Narendra Modi's administration to commence offering Starlink services in India.
Reliance Industries, controlled by Ambani, and Bharti Airtel, led by Mittal, have established dominant positions within India's telecommunications industry.
In a post on social media platform X, Musk expressed frustration, stating, "You can guess who they are … Reliance Jio Infocomm and Bharti Airtel, India’s two largest private telecommunications operators, serve approximately 910 million broadband subscribers combined. This represents more than 80% of the market, according to the latest government data."
India had effectively halted final approvals for Starlink's commercial launch due to security concerns. In June, reports indicated that security agencies under the country's home ministry had withheld clearances for the low-Earth orbit service to begin operations.
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