Elon Musk renews push for Starlink entry in India says lack of internet denies
Benchmarks Nifty22,997.35374.65FEATURED FUNDS★★★★★UTI Aggressive Hybrid Fund Regular Plan-Growth5Y Return8.52 % Invest NowFEATURED FUNDS★★★★★Motilal Oswal Midcap Fund Direct-Growth5Y Return18.82 % Invest NowEnter search…
Elon Musk has publicly requested approval for Starlink to enter the Indian market, highlighting connectivity issues in rural areas. The Indian government has dismissed claims of bias against Starlink, stating a fair authorization framework exists. Musk has alleged that unnamed oligarchs are blocking Starlink's entry to the market. The company has spent five years complying with Indian regulations and adapting its operations.
Listen to this article in summarized format
Loading...×Elon Musk has made a fresh public appeal for Starlink to be allowed to compete in India, where the satellite internet service is yet to start commercial operations.Musk posted a message on X on Friday, asking if Starlink could be allowed to compete in the country. He wrote, "Dear Prime Minister Ambani, please accept my humble apologies for not realizing that you are the real boss of India. Naturally, you would prefer to maintain your monopolistic exploitation of the great people of India, but would you nonetheless consider allowing Starlink to compete? There are many areas of India, as there are in all countries, with no Internet access, which denies children the opportunity for education and for small businesses the opportunity to sell their goods to a global market. Starlink would change their lives for the better. There are many areas of India, as there are in all countries, with no Internet access, which denies children the opportunity for education and for small businesses the opportunity to sell their goods to a global market. Starlink would change their lives for the better."
— elonmusk (@elonmusk)Starlink is yet to start commercial operations in India. According to an ET report, it has a satellite communication permit and authorisation from the space regulator but is awaiting security clearance.
On Wednesday, Musk alleged that Starlink’s entry into India is being blocked by unnamed “oligarchs” seeking to protect a “monopolistic chokehold” on the market.
Also read: ‘Wait till you discover…’: Rahul Gandhi reacts as Elon Musk ups ante over India’s telecom rules
Live Events
On Thursday, Musk questioned why Starlink, which he said is licensed in more than 165 countries, is still waiting for an Indian licence after five years of complying with government requirements.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi replied to the post on X, saying, “Welcome to India, Elon. Wait till you discover the other guy.” Musk responded, “Thank you, Rahul. This is indeed troubling.”
Government response
The Ministry of Communications on Thursday dismissed the claims of bias as “baseless and misconceived”, according to an ET report. The statement did not name Musk or Starlink.
The ministry said the government has put in place a fair and non-discriminatory authorisation framework for all telecom services, including satellite communication. It said telecom licences have been granted to three satellite communication operators and that each of them must show compliance with security conditions.
A security assessment is under way for all three licensees, the ministry said. Once it is completed for a licensee, that company can seek assignment of spectrum. At present, all three are at broadly the same regulatory stage, it said.
Starlink’s long wait for India
Starlink’s India plans have been delayed for several years. In November 2021, the Ministry of Communications told the public not to subscribe to Starlink services after the company began taking bookings without a licence.
Starlink had been waiting since 2022 for a licence to operate commercially in India, according to a PTI report. The report said the delays came from reasons including national security concerns.
Starlink has also clashed with Jio over how spectrum for satellite services should be granted. The report said India sided with Starlink’s view that spectrum should be assigned administratively and not auctioned.
In March 2025, Starlink signed agreements with Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio covering network equipment distribution, business connectivity and rural connectivity.
Starlink got its licence in June 2025, becoming the third satcom company to do so after Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite Communications, according to a PTI report. Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia had told reporters that the third licence would be issued in the coming days.
In July 2025, the space regulator IN-SPACe authorised Starlink’s Gen 1 constellation of 4,408 satellites. It had earlier rejected the company’s application for a proposed 30,000-satellite constellation, citing non-conformity of certain features and spectrum bands.
Also in July 2025, Minister of State for Communications Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar said Starlink would be limited to 20 lakh customers in India, with speeds of up to 200 Mbps. He said the service is expected to mainly target rural and remote areas.
On August 20, ET was the first to report that Starlink had resubmitted an application to IN-SPACe for authorisation of its Gen 2 constellation. The application seeks approval for a low Earth orbit constellation with newer capabilities, including direct-to-device connectivity, according to the ET report.
Starlink says India operations are ready
At the India Mobile Congress on Wednesday, Lauren Dreyer, SpaceX vice president for Starlink business operations, said the company had built 20 gateway sites and hundreds of antennas in India.
She said Starlink had adapted its operations to Indian security and regulatory requirements and was keeping Indian user data within the country. She said the company had spent five years working with Indian regulators, industry and telecom operators ahead of its proposed entry.
Starlink has signed letters of intent with Maharashtra and Meghalaya to explore connectivity for remote communities and public institutions.
Commercial satellite services by non-geostationary operators have yet to begin in India, with security clearances and spectrum allocation among the issues involved. Trai has made recommendations on pricing for satellite spectrum, but the government is yet to take a final decision.
Also read: Starlink operations in India: BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar asks Elon Musk to be patient
Trai is also examining direct-to-device services, which could let satellite networks supplement mobile connectivity directly to consumer devices. Traditional telecom operators have argued that satellite companies offering such services should face comparable regulatory obligations.
Starlink is not the only company awaiting final approvals. Bharti Group-backed Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite also have the required satcom permit and space-sector authorisation but are awaiting security clearance. Amazon Leo is also competing for a share of the market.
Scindia has said satellite telecom will help provide connectivity in remote interior places where conventional services are costly.
The dispute comes as Washington presses for wider access to foreign markets for American companies. Trump has said a trade deal with India should open the Indian market to US firms. “We are going to have access to India,” he told reporters in 2025.
Starlink’s entry into India gained currency after Donald Trump returned to the US presidency, with Musk described as a close aide of Trump.
Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now!
(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
Read More News onStarlink IndiaElon Musksatellite internetinternet access in Indiaeducation opportunitiesIndian government regulationsdigital communicationsreliance jiowashington postcompetition in satellite internet
(Catch all the Business News, Breaking News and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.)
...moreless(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
Read More News onStarlink IndiaElon Musksatellite internetinternet access in Indiaeducation opportunitiesIndian government regulationsdigital communicationsreliance jiowashington postcompetition in satellite internet
(Catch all the Business News, Breaking News and Latest News Updates on The Economic Times.)
...morelessContinue reading with one of these options:Limited AccessFreeLogin to get access to some exclusive stories& personalised newslettersLogin NowUnlimited AccessStarting @ Rs120/monthGet access to exclusive stories, expert opinions &
in-depth stock reportsSubscribe NowET
Unlock Access to All Exclusives with ETPrime FREE TRIAL
15 Days Free: Unlock All ETPrime Exclusives, Market Tools & ePapers
Trial offer expiring in00 : 05 : 00
I'd rather pay ₹2599 nowUh-oh! This is an exclusive story available for selected readers only.
Worry not. You’re just a step away.
Prime Account Detected!
It seems like you're already an ETPrime member with
Login using your ET Prime credentials to enjoy all member benefits
Log out of your current logged-in account and log in again using your ET Prime credentials to enjoy all member benefits.
Unlock ETPrime's Exclusive Stories Today!
Big Price Drop! Flat 40% Off
Student Only OfferAlready a Member? Sign In nowAlready a Member? Sign In nowAlready a Member? Sign In nowOffer Exclusively For You
Save up to Rs. 700/-
ON ET PRIME MEMBERSHIP
Avail OfferOffer Exclusively For You
Get 1 Year Free
With 1 and 2-Year ET prime membership
Avail OfferOffer Exclusively For You
Get 1 Year Free
With 1 and 2-Year ET prime membership
Avail OfferOffer Exclusively For You
Get Flat 40% Off
Then ₹ 1749 for 1 year
Avail OfferOffer Exclusively For You
ET Prime at ₹ 49 for 1 month
Then ₹ 1749 for 1 year
Avail OfferSpecial Offer
Get flat 40% off on ETPrime
Avail OfferAvail OfferClaim NowAlready a Member? Sign In nowNeed Assistance?
Connect with an ETPrime expert for personalized support and guidance
+91 9484700004'; }); } if(listing) { var h3 = "You tried reading " + listArr.length + " locked stories in the past " + threshold + " days.", h4 = "Become an ET Prime member and don't miss out on these exclusive stories."; var html = '' + h3 + '
' + h4 + '
- ' + listing + '
What’s Included with
ETPrime Membership
1Exclusive Insights That Matter
Uncover the truth with our investigative stories
Make strategic moves using the real-world case studies
Read industry-specific stories to identify emerging trends
Spot opportunities with in-depth insights that matter
Trump temper on H-1B visas is forcing Indians to do these things to stay put in US
What Adani’s US indictment means for India Inc’s overseas fundraising
Why veterans like Reliance, L&T are on acquisition spree? Aswath Damodaran has an answer.
Will China’s dollar bond sale in Saudi Arabia trump the US in financial world?
Huawei launches its own OS to compete with Google and Apple. But can it win beyond China?
The problem with lab grown diamonds
Why a falling rupee is a better option for the economy
A list of top 20 momentum stocks that have delivered massive returns in one year
2Invest Wisely With Smart Market Tools & Investment Ideas
Alpha Trade
Get daily trade ideas from SEBI-registered research analysts.
Investment Ideas
Grow your wealth with stock ideas & sectoral trends.
Stock Reports Plus
All-in-one stock research with Stock Score, peer comparison & key signals.
BigBull Portfolio
Get to know where the market bulls are investing to identify the right stocks.
Stock Analyzer
Check the score based on the company's fundamentals, solvency, growth, risk & ownership to decide the right stocks.
Market Mood
Analyze the market sentiments & identify the trend reversal for strategic decisions.
Stock Talk Live at 9 AM Daily
Ask your stock queries & get assured replies by ET appointed, SEBI registered experts.
3Stay informed anytime, anywhere with ET ePaper
ePaper - Print View
Read the PDF version of ET newspaper. Download & access it offline anytime.
ePaper - Digital View
Read your daily newspaper in Digital View & get it delivered to your inbox everyday.
Wealth Edition
Manage your money efficiently with this weekly money management guide.
TOI ePaper
Read the PDF version of TOI newspaper. Download & access it offline anytime.
Deep Explainers
Explore the In-depth explanation of complex topics for everyday life decisions.
Health+ Stories
Get fitter with daily health insights committed to your well-being.
Personal Finance+ Stories
Manage your wealth better with in-depth insights & updates on finance.
5Enjoy Complimentary Subscriptions From Top Brands
Stream new documentaries from all across the world every day.
Stories you might be interested in
Figures reflect the source report and its stated period. This article is for information and is not investment advice.
