Starlink responds to Reliance, says ‘worked closely with regulators, ready to connect India with high-speed internet'
Billionaire Elon Musk's Starlink on Friday (local time) said it was ready to connect India with high-speed internet, highlighting its work with regulators, industry stakeholders and operators in India for over five years.
Sharing a screenshot of its statement on X, Starlink wrote, "We have worked closely with regulators, industry and operators in India for 5 years, and built a network of dedicated systems, gateways, and other infrastructure all in-country to exclusively serve Indian traffic safely and securely - and all with the requisite government approvals.”
Elaborating further, the statement noted that Reliance had never feared competition and added, "We see it as the truest test of who serves the customer best. Jio itself entered India's crowded telecom market in 2016 as the newest player, with not a single customer. In just ten years, Jio has earned the trust of over 530 million customers and given Indians some of the best digital infrastructure and most affordable data in the world."
Reliance’s response followed a series of posts on X in which Musk criticised Ambani over delays in securing approval for Starlink’s services in India.
On 7 October, SpaceX CEO Elon Musk took to his social media account to vent out his frustration over delayed approval for Starlink in India and blamed some Indian oligarchs for blocking Starlink's approval. He called it a crime against the people of India but did not name any oligarchs.
However, a day later, he launched a scathing attack against Ambani, questioning whether he is the "real boss of India." He added, "Starlink is licensed in over 165 countries and has spent five years complying with every single law and requirement of the government of India, so why still no license?"
On the same day, India's communications ministry responded without naming Musk and described the satcom framework as “fair and non-discriminatory”. The ministry further said the suggestion of unfair treatment was "baseless and misconceived."
Intensifying his attack against Ambani, Musk launched a 'Prime Minister' jibe against the former, calling him the "real boss of India." The SpaceX CEO wrote, "Dear Prime Minister Ambani, please accept my humble apologies for not realizing that you are the real boss of India. Naturally, you would prefer to maintain your monopolistic exploitation of the great people of India, but would you nonetheless consider allowing Starlink to compete?"
However, it remains to be seen whether the Centre will grant Starlink a licence amid national security concerns.
Swati Gandhi is a digital journalist with over four years of experience, specialising in international and geopolitical issues. Her work focuses on foreign policy, global power shifts, and the political and economic forces shaping international relations, with a particular emphasis on how global developments affect India. She approaches journalism with a strong belief in context-driven reporting, aiming to break down complex global events into clear, accessible narratives for a wide readership.<br><br> Previously, Swati has worked at Business Standard, where she covered a range of beats including national affairs, politics, and business. This diverse newsroom experience helped her build a strong grounding in reporting, while also strengthening her ability to work across both breaking news and in-depth explanatory stories. Covering multiple beats early in her career has helped her be informed about her current work, allowing her to connect domestic developments with wider international trends.<br><br> At Live Mint, she focuses on international and geopolitical issues through a business and economic lens, examining how global political developments, foreign policy decisions, and power shifts impact markets, industries, and India’s strategic and economic interests.<br><br> She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English (Honours) from the University of Delhi and a Master’s degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University. Her academic training has shaped her emphasis on precision, analytical rigour, and clarity in writing. Her interests include global political economy and the intersection of geopolitics with business.<br><br> Outside work, Swati focuses on exploring her passion and love for food. From fancy cafes to street spots, Swati explores food like a true foodie.
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