Elon Musk Questions Ambani’s Influence in India Amid Starlink Entry Debate
NEW DELHI: The competition for satellite communication services in India intensified on Thursday as Elon Musk questioned the influence of Mukesh Ambani in blocking Starlink’s entry into the market. Musk made his comments on X, following a denial from the Indian government regarding his claims that “certain oligarchs” were impeding his company’s progress. The Department of Telecom stated that India’s regulatory framework for satellite communication is fair and non-discriminatory.
Musk’s remarks came after he hinted at unnamed individuals responsible for the delays. Congress MP Rahul Gandhi responded to Musk on X, welcoming him to India and suggesting he would soon discover more complexities. Musk acknowledged Gandhi’s comment, expressing concern over the situation.
Musk’s Critique of Opposition to Starlink
Despite the government’s rejection of his claims, Musk continued to voice his frustrations on X. He pointed out that Starlink is licensed in over 165 countries and has complied with Indian regulations for five years without receiving a license. He reiterated his question about Ambani’s influence, stating, “Is Ambani the real boss of India?”
Musk further argued that opposition to Starlink primarily affects underserved populations. He emphasized that wealthier individuals in urban areas already have reliable internet access and may not understand the needs of those in rural regions. Musk claimed that Starlink could significantly benefit areas in India lacking adequate internet and mobile coverage.
At the India Mobile Congress, Bharti Airtel chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal confirmed that his satcom venture, Eutelsat OneWeb, is also awaiting regulatory approvals. Meanwhile, Reliance Jio chairman Akash Ambani stated that his company is making “rapid progress” but did not provide a specific timeline for its launch.
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