3 Satellite Firms Await India Approval as Musk Targets Ambani

Three satellite internet operators, including SpaceX's Starlink, are stuck in the same regulatory holding pattern in India, according to the country's Ministry of Communications. That shared timeline has not stopped Elon Musk from singling out Reliance Industries chairperson Mukesh Ambani, accusing him of blocking competition to protect his own telecom business.

What did Musk say about Ambani this week?

On Friday, Musk posted on X that Starlink could bring internet access to unconnected parts of India, giving children more chances to learn and letting small businesses reach customers abroad. He then challenged Ambani directly: "Naturally, you would prefer to maintain your monopolistic exploitation of the great people of India, but would you nonetheless consider allowing Starlink to compete?" according to TechCrunch. A day earlier, Musk asked on the same platform, "Is Ambani the real boss of India?" Reliance Jio, the Ambani-controlled telecom arm of Reliance Industries, did not respond to a request for comment, TechCrunch reported.

Why is Starlink still waiting for approval in India?

Starlink has already cleared key regulatory steps but has not received the green light from New Delhi to start commercial service. SpaceX struck distribution deals last year with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, India's second-largest carrier, so it could sell Starlink once approvals came through. Those approvals have not arrived.

How did India's government respond to the accusations?

Earlier in the week, Musk accused unnamed "oligarchs" of blocking Starlink to protect their own interests. India's Ministry of Communications pushed back, saying the country's rules for satellite communications are "fair and non-discriminatory." On Thursday, the ministry said Starlink and two other licensed satellite operators are undergoing security assessments that must be finished before any of them can get satellite spectrum. The ministry said all three companies are at "broadly the same regulatory stage," directly rejecting Musk's claim that Starlink is being singled out.

What do Jio and Airtel have to do with Starlink's delay?

Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel are not just distribution partners for Starlink — they are also building competing satellite services. Jio has a joint venture with Luxembourg-based SES. Airtel is a major shareholder in Eutelsat OneWeb. Both companies are seeking approval to launch satellite internet in India at the same time Starlink is waiting, which is part of why the ministry says the three operators are moving through the same process together.

What happens next for Starlink in India?

India has more than a billion internet users, making it one of the largest potential markets for Starlink. But reaching those customers means working inside a system where Ambani's Reliance conglomerate already runs the country's largest telecom operator and partners closely with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government on major infrastructure projects, according to TechCrunch. For now, the security assessments continue, and no launch date has been set for Starlink's commercial service in the country.