Musk loses patience with India

Elon Musk has posted repeatedly on X complaining that Indian authorities are withholding final approval for Starlink to offer commercial services, despite the company receiving a license last year.

Oligarchs blocking competition

Musk accused unnamed oligarchs of maintaining a monopolistic chokehold on India. He later named Mukesh Ambani, the world's twenty-fifth wealthiest person, and Sunil Mittal, who run Jio and Airtel.

“Unfortunately, we are being blocked by certain oligarchs in order to maintain their monopolistic chokehold on the Indian people.”

Starlink's long wait for approval

Starlink first applied for commercial licenses in India in twenty twenty-two. It received a license last year but still awaits final approval. Starlink is licensed in over one hundred sixty-five countries.

Jio's competing satellite plans

Jio is planning a constellation of one thousand six hundred satellites in low Earth orbit to provide internet access similarly to Starlink. Jio has yet to launch a satellite, while Starlink has over eleven thousand.

India defends its process

India's Ministry of Communications said it granted licenses to three unnamed satellite operators all undergoing security assessment at the same regulatory stage. It rejected suggestions the framework is unfair or discriminatory.

“As such, the suggestion that the framework or its application is unfair or discriminatory is baseless and misconceived.”