Elon Musk questions Ambani’s influence as Starlink India launch stalls

Elon Musk has questioned billionaire Mukesh Ambani’s influence in India as SpaceX struggles to launch its Starlink satellite internet service in the country. This escalates a growing dispute over regulatory delays after the Indian government rejected claims that powerful business interests were blocking its entry.

On Wednesday, Musk accused unnamed oligarchs of blocking Starlink’s launch in India to maintain what he called their monopolistic chokehold on the country. He did not identify them or provide evidence for his claim, calling the alleged blocking a crime against the people of India and arguing that Starlink could bring affordable internet to those lacking access.

Hours later, India’s Ministry of Communications pushed back, saying its regulatory framework for satellite communications is fair and non-discriminatory. The ministry stated that Starlink and two other licensed satellite operators are at broadly the same regulatory stage. All three companies are undergoing security assessments that must be completed before they can seek spectrum.

Musk went further on Thursday, questioning the influence of Reliance Industries chairperson Mukesh Ambani. Writing on X, Musk asked if Ambani was the real boss of India after claiming that Starlink had spent five years complying with local regulations and questioning why it still lacked a license.

Starlink has spent over five years trying to enter India, a massive market with over a billion internet subscribers. However, it has yet to begin commercial services despite securing key regulatory approvals and partnering with telecom giants Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.

SpaceX has also set up a local team, appointing Prabhakar Jayakumar to lead its India operations. Musk’s comments arrived just hours after Lauren Dreyer, Starlink’s vice president of business operations, spoke at the India Mobile Congress in New Delhi and reiterated the company's commitment to the market.

During the conference, Dreyer stated that Starlink is ready to serve India and help achieve Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s goal of universal connectivity. Starlink has established over 20 gateway sites and hundreds of antennas on the ground, adapting its operations to meet local regulatory, security, and data-sovereignty requirements.

SpaceX has positioned its satellite network as a complement to India’s existing terrestrial telecom networks rather than a replacement. The company first attempted to launch Starlink in India in 2021 but had to refund preorders in early 2022 after the government noted it was booking services before securing necessary licenses.

In conclusion, the friction between SpaceX and Indian authorities highlights the complex regulatory landscape surrounding satellite internet deployment. While Starlink remains eager to capture a share of India's vast digital market, government officials maintain that standard security procedures and licensing frameworks must be rigorously followed by all participants without exception.