Reliance Says Jio Satellite Services Also Await Clearances
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Khushi Jain
- October 16, 2026
Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) has responded to Elon Musk’s allegations that Indian business interests are blocking Starlink’s entry into India, stating that it has “never feared competition” and that Jio’s satellite services are also awaiting government clearances.
The statement follows Musk’s criticism of RIL CMD Mukesh Ambani, whom he accused of protecting his telecom interests and sarcastically described as the “real boss of India”.
“At Reliance, we have never feared competition. We see it as the truest test of who serves the customer best,” the conglomerate said.
Citing the government’s position that the same approval process applies to domestic and foreign applicants, Reliance said Jio’s satellite services are also awaiting clearances.
“We welcome competition in satellite communications, including Starlink. Every player, Jio included, must serve the people of India and abide by the laws and policies of the land,” the company added.
Reliance also highlighted Jio’s entry into India’s “crowded” telecom market in 2016. Since then, Jio has grown to serve over 530 Mn customers. The company credited Jio with making data more affordable and expanding digital infrastructure, while emphasising that India’s openness to domestic and international investment and innovation depends on the rule of law.
Musk initially targeted unnamed Indian business interests, accusing them of attempting to block Starlink to maintain their “monopolistic chokehold” on the market. He later singled out Ambani.
In another post, Musk, CEO of SpaceX, which owns and operates Starlink, addressed Ambani as “Prime Minister Ambani”.
Musk has also argued that satellite connectivity could expand internet access in remote areas, where poor connectivity limits educational opportunities and prevents small businesses from reaching global markets.
Satcom Operators Await Launch Clearances
The Centre has rejected Musk’s allegations of preferential treatment for domestic telecom players, stating that India’s satellite communications rules are non-discriminatory.
The communications ministry said last week that all three licensed operators, Starlink, Reliance’s Jio Satellite Communications and Bharti Enterprises-backed Eutelsat OneWeb, were undergoing security assessments and were at broadly the same regulatory stage.
The operators hold telecom licences to provide Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) services using non-geostationary satellite systems. However, they must demonstrate compliance with security conditions before seeking spectrum assignment. A telecom licence alone does not authorise commercial services.
In September, reports said Eutelsat OneWeb had sought urgent security clearance for its low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation. The company had been waiting for more than 18 months since demonstrating security compliance in January 2025.
Speaking at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in New Delhi earlier this week, Bharti Enterprises chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal said OneWeb was significantly ahead of Starlink in the approval queue, having applied five years ago.
Mittal said OneWeb’s ground network had been ready for three years and its satellites had been orbiting over India for five years. He added that he would be happy if OneWeb received permission even a few days before Starlink.
Meanwhile, Starlink has reportedly reapplied to the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) for approval of its second-generation constellation of nearly 30,000 LEO satellites. The network is expected to support capabilities such as direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity.
Earlier this month, Starlink vice president of business operations Lauren Dreyer said the company had established 20 gateway sites in India, comprising hundreds of antennas.
FAQs
1. What did Reliance Industries say about Elon Musk’s allegations?
Reliance said it has never feared competition and that Jio’s satellite services are also awaiting government clearances.
2. How many customers does Jio serve?
Jio has grown to serve over 530 Mn customers since entering India’s telecom market in 2016.
3. Which satellite communication operators are awaiting clearances in India?
Starlink, Reliance’s Jio Satellite Communications and Bharti Enterprises-backed Eutelsat OneWeb are undergoing security assessments.
4. What did Sunil Bharti Mittal say about OneWeb’s approval process?
Mittal said OneWeb was significantly ahead of Starlink in the approval queue, having applied five years ago.
5. How many gateway sites has Starlink established in India?
Starlink vice president of business operations Lauren Dreyer said the company had established 20 gateway sites in India, comprising hundreds of antennas.
