From TechCrunch · Jagmeet Singh · · 2m
Musk attacks Ambani over Starlink India delay
Elon Musk escalates his criticism of Mukesh Ambani, accusing the billionaire of blocking Starlink's launch to protect his telecom monopoly in India.
In brief
Elon Musk escalates his criticism of Mukesh Ambani, accusing the billionaire of blocking Starlink's launch to protect his telecom monopoly in India. Elon Musk intensified attacks on Mukesh Ambani, claiming he is blocking Starlink's India launch to protect Reliance Jio's monopoly, while India's government rejected the…
Musk escalates Ambani criticism
Elon Musk has stepped up attacks on billionaire Mukesh Ambani, mockingly calling him India's prime minister to suggest he wields outsized control over government and accusing him of blocking Starlink.
Musk's latest X post
On Friday, Musk wrote to Ambani: Naturally, you would prefer to maintain your monopolistic exploitation of the great people of India, but would you nonetheless consider allowing Starlink to compete?
“Naturally, you would prefer to maintain your monopolistic exploitation of the great people of India, but would you nonetheless consider allowing Starlink to compete?”
Musk questions Ambani's influence
On Thursday, Musk questioned Ambani's influence in a post on X, asking: Is Ambani the real boss of India? This followed earlier accusations that unnamed oligarchs were blocking Starlink's launch.
“Is Ambani the real boss of India?”
India rejects Musk's allegations
India's Ministry of Communications rejected allegations that Starlink was being blocked, saying the country's regulatory framework for satellite communications is fair and non-discriminatory.
Starlink's years-long wait
SpaceX has spent years trying to launch Starlink in India. Last year it struck distribution agreements with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, but has not yet received approval from New Delhi to begin commercial operations.
All operators at same stage
India's telecom ministry said Starlink and two other licensed satellite operators are undergoing security assessments. All three are at broadly the same regulatory stage, rejecting Musk's claim Starlink was singled out.
Competing satellite services
Reliance Jio has a joint venture with Luxembourg-based SES, while Bharti Airtel is a major shareholder in Eutelsat OneWeb. Both are also seeking to launch satellite internet services in India.
Telecom minister pushes back
India's telecom minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Friday rejected Musk's allegations, saying the country does not allow a monopoly in any sector. Starlink's launch in India remains in limbo.
What to remember
Elon Musk intensified attacks on Mukesh Ambani, claiming he is blocking Starlink's India launch to protect Reliance Jio's monopoly, while India's government rejected the allegations and said all satellite operators face the same regulatory process.
