Reliance Industries has welcomed Starlink’s entry into India, saying all satellite operators must comply with Indian laws.
The company issued the statement on Friday, October 16, following remarks by SpaceX owner Elon Musk alleging that powerful business interests were obstructing Starlink’s entry into the Indian market.
Reliance maintained that it supports competition and international investment but emphasised that regulatory requirements must apply equally to domestic and foreign satellite communication providers.
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What Did Reliance Say About Starlink?
Reliance Industries said it had never feared competition and regarded it as a way to determine which company serves customers better.
The company pointed to Jio’s entry into India’s telecommunications market in 2016, when it began without a single customer. It said Jio had subsequently expanded to more than 530 million customers over ten years while developing digital infrastructure and affordable data services.
Reliance also clarified that Jio’s own satellite communication services were awaiting necessary regulatory clearances. The company said India’s openness to investment and innovation had supported domestic businesses, including Reliance, and that the same approval process applied to every applicant.
Why Did Elon Musk Raise Concerns?
Musk recently alleged that unnamed oligarchs were preventing Starlink from entering India to protect their existing market positions. His remarks raised questions about competition in India’s emerging satellite communications sector.
Reliance responded by rejecting the suggestion that it opposed new competitors. It explicitly welcomed Starlink while stressing that participation in the Indian market must remain subject to national laws and policies.
What Approvals Do Satellite Operators Need?
The communications ministry has stated that satellite operators must demonstrate compliance with security conditions before proceeding towards spectrum assignment. Three companies have received unified licences authorising Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite services: OneWeb India Communications, Jio Satellite Communications and Starlink Satellite Communications.
However, regulatory approvals remain pending for commercial operations. Bharti Airtel chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal has also said that Eutelsat OneWeb, his company’s satellite communications venture, is awaiting approvals to begin services.
What Does This Mean for India’s Satellite Market?
The disagreement highlights the importance of regulatory compliance as companies prepare to compete in India’s satellite broadband sector. Although several operators have obtained licences, they must still complete the required approval procedures before launching services.
Reliance reiterated that competition should operate within a common legal framework, regardless of whether a company is Indian or foreign.
Starlink’s proposed entry reflects growing interest in India’s satellite communications market. However, the pending approvals for Jio, OneWeb and Starlink underline that obtaining a licence does not automatically permit commercial operations. The central issue remains whether all operators can meet India’s security and regulatory requirements while competing for customers.
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