The debate over Elon Musk’s Starlink entering India’s satellite internet market has intensified, with Reliance Industries and the US-based company exchanging statements over competition, government approvals and regulatory requirements.
Starlink has now said it is ready to provide high-speed internet services in India, claiming it has spent more than five years working with Indian regulators and building the infrastructure required to serve customers in the country. The statement came a day after Reliance Industries responded to Musk’s criticism of India’s satellite communication policies, insisting that all companies must follow the same rules. The exchange follows Musk’s allegations that powerful business interests were standing in the way of Starlink’s entry into India.
Starlink Says It Has Completed Preparations For India
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… https://t.co/zG8nqXW8WM
— Starlink (@Starlink) October 16, 2026
In a post on X, Starlink said it had worked closely with Indian regulators, industry players and operators over the past five years. It also said it had established the necessary infrastructure within the country.
“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. Starlink is ready to connect India with high-speed internet,” the company said.
The statement signals Starlink’s readiness to serve the Indian market. However, the company’s announcement does not, by itself, establish that commercial services are available to Indian customers. The rollout remains subject to the applicable regulatory and operational requirements.
Starlink, operated by SpaceX, uses satellites in low Earth orbit to provide broadband connectivity. Such services can be particularly useful in remote and rural areas where laying traditional broadband infrastructure is difficult. India represents a significant potential market for satellite internet providers because of its large population and the challenge of delivering reliable connectivity to every location.
What Did Reliance Say About Starlink’s Entry?
Statement from Reliance Industries
In light of recent remarks about Reliance and the Indian market, we wish to place the facts on record.
Like every Indian enterprise, Reliance has grown in an India that welcomes investment and innovation, homegrown or international, that improve the lives of the people.
That openness rests on the rule of law. As the Government of India has stated, it applies the same process to every applicant, Indian or foreign. Jio’s own satellite services await clearances.
At Reliance, we have never feared competition. 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.
We welcome competition in satellite communications, including Starlink. Every player, Jio included, must serve the people of India and abide by the laws and policies of the land.
— Reliance Industries Limited (@RIL_Updates) October 16, 2026
Reliance Industries issued a statement on Friday after Musk’s remarks about the Indian market and Starlink’s entry into the country. The company said it welcomed competition in satellite communications but stressed that every operator, whether Indian or foreign, must comply with the country’s laws and policies.
Reliance also argued that the government follows the same approval process for all applicants. It pointed out that Jio’s own satellite services were still awaiting clearances. In its statement, Reliance said, “At Reliance, we have never feared competition. We see it as the truest test of who serves the customer best.” The company also highlighted Jio’s growth since entering India’s telecom market in 2016.
“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,” the statement read.
Reliance added that competition in satellite communications was welcome, provided every player followed the same rules. The response positions the dispute as a question of regulatory consistency rather than opposition to foreign competition.
How Did The Elon Musk-Reliance Row Begin?
The disagreement escalated on October 7, when Elon Musk criticised India’s approach to satellite spectrum allocation. He alleged that certain powerful business interests were preventing Starlink from entering the market. The Indian government responded on October 8, rejecting allegations of discrimination as “baseless and misconceived.” The communications ministry maintained that India’s satellite communication rules were fair and that the companies involved were at broadly similar stages of regulatory assessment.
@RIL_Updates Much appreciated
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 16, 2026
Musk subsequently questioned why Starlink had not received a licence despite operating in more than 165 countries and spending years complying with Indian requirements. He also asked, “So why still no licence? Is Ambani the real boss of India?”
The remark was directed at Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries. It brought the disagreement into sharper focus, placing the country’s satellite internet approval process at the centre of a public exchange between major business interests.
What Does The Dispute Mean For India’s Satellite Internet Market?
Starlink’s entry could introduce another competitor into India’s developing satellite broadband market. Reliance’s Jio is also pursuing satellite services, while other companies are working to establish their presence in the sector. For consumers, competition could eventually expand internet access in areas where conventional broadband remains limited. However, the pace of adoption will depend on licensing, spectrum arrangements, service availability and pricing.
The latest statements show that Starlink wants to enter the market and says it has prepared the required infrastructure, while Reliance insists that regulatory rules must apply equally to every company. The key question now is when Starlink will be able to launch commercial services in India. Until the remaining regulatory and operational requirements are resolved, its readiness to connect the country should not be confused with a confirmed launch date.
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