{
  "id": 13069260,
  "title": "Why Elon Musk is taking on India's richest man over Starlink",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/why-elon-musk-is-taking-on-indias-richest-man-over-starlink-13069260",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-09T06:42:37.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC News",
    "slug": "bbc-news",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvglw9ryjrylo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Elon Musk has questioned whether billionaire Mukesh Ambani is the true leader of India as his satellite internet company, Starlink, faces delays in securing approval to launch services in the country. This comes a day after Musk accused unnamed business interests of attempting to block Starlink's entry into India, singling out Ambani as the alleged obstacle. India has dismissed Musk's claims, stating that its satellite communication rules are fair and non-discriminatory. Both Musk and Ambani have not responded to the BBC's requests for comment.\n\nThe dispute arises as competition intensifies in India's satellite internet market, with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel also planning to launch services. Starlink has partnered with Ambani's Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, agreeing to distribute Starlink equipment and services in India upon government approval.\n\nMusk's allegations surfaced on Wednesday, accusing certain oligarchs of maintaining a monopolistic grip on Indian consumers. He wrote on X, \"You can guess who they are,\" and threatened that blocking Starlink is \"a crime against the people of India.\" The next day, India's Ministry of Communications denied the accusations, stating that Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb, and Jio Satellite Communications are all at the same stage in the approval process, awaiting security clearances and spectrum allocation.\n\nMusk continued to challenge the delay, noting that Starlink is already licensed in over 165 countries and has spent five years complying with Indian laws. He questioned why Starlink still hasn't received a license in India, asking if Ambani is the \"real boss of India.\" Starlink, owned by Musk's SpaceX, uses low Earth orbit satellites to provide internet access, particularly in remote areas where mobile networks and broadband cables are challenging to install. The company has been seeking approval in India since 2021, having secured key licenses but still needing final security clearances and spectrum allocation.\n\nThe latest clash unfolded during a meeting at the India Mobile Congress in Delhi, where executives from Starlink, Reliance Jio, and Bharti Airtel discussed their satellite internet plans. Akash Ambani, chairman of Reliance Jio Infocomm and son of Mukesh Ambani, declined to comment on Musk's allegations, stating that the company is focused on delivering value to Indian consumers. Bharti Airtel chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal also declined to comment on the issue, mentioning that his company's satellite venture is awaiting government approvals.\n\nSecurity concerns have been a significant issue surrounding Starlink's entry into India. In 2024, Indian authorities recovered Starlink equipment during a drug-smuggling investigation in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and an army operation in Manipur. Musk claimed that Starlink's service had never been active in India, arguing that the recovered equipment could not have been using its satellite network. Questions persist about the affordability of the service for Indian consumers, especially those in rural areas, where access remains uneven. Musk has argued that Starlink could help bridge this gap by providing high-speed, affordable internet to those without current connections or those who cannot afford the existing prices. However, the actual pricing for India remains unannounced, and some experts believe the service could be unaffordable for many Indian households.",
  "summary": "Musk has taken pot-shots at Reliance owner Mukesh Ambani as Starlink struggles to launch in India.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Science",
        "title": "Why Elon Musk is taking on India's richest man over Starlink",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/why-elon-musk-is-taking-on-indias-richest-man-over-starlink",
        "published": "2026-10-09T06:42:37.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "KahawaTungu",
        "title": "Why Elon Musk is taking on India’s richest man over Starlink",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/why-elon-musk-is-taking-on-indias-richest-man-over-starlink-13068550",
        "published": "2026-10-09T07:55:50.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}