Starlink has said it is ready to begin connecting India with high-speed internet, responding to Reliance Industries’ call for all satellite communication providers to follow Indian laws and policies. The exchange comes as Starlink, Reliance Jio and Eutelsat OneWeb hold licences to provide satellite communication services in India, while the government is still finalising the framework for assigning spectrum.
“We have worked closely with regulators, industry and operators in India for 5+ years, and built a network of dedicated systems, gateways, and other infrastructure all in-country to exclusively serve Indian traffic safely and securely – and all with the requisite government approvals. Starlink is ready to connect India with high-speed internet,” the company said in a post on X.
Starlink’s response followed a statement from Reliance Industries that welcomed competition in satellite communications, provided every player complied with Indian laws and policies. Reliance also said that Jio’s own satellite services were awaiting clearances.
“In light of recent remarks about Reliance and the Indian market, we wish to place the facts on record,” the company said. “Like every Indian enterprise, Reliance has grown in an India that welcomes investment and innovation, homegrown or international, that improve the lives of the people. That openness rests on the rule of law.”
Reliance added that the government had stated that the same process applied to every applicant, whether Indian or foreign. Its statement came after Elon Musk accused “certain oligarchs” of blocking Starlink’s entry into India and later named Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani in a series of posts.
The government has rejected Musk’s allegations. Union communications minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said satellite spectrum would be assigned after the government finalised a revenue-sharing framework and companies met security requirements. The minister’s comments indicate that holding a licence is not, by itself, sufficient to begin commercial satellite communication services.
The regulatory process is central to how satellite internet will reach Indian users. Unlike conventional broadband, which depends heavily on fibre, cables and local access networks, satellite services are expected to extend connectivity to remote areas where laying terrestrial infrastructure is difficult. The supplied report does not specify a commercial launch date, pricing structure or the number of users Starlink intends to serve.
Starlink, Reliance Jio and Eutelsat OneWeb have received licences to provide satellite communication services in India. Amazon’s Project Kuiper is also seeking a licence, adding another potential competitor to a market that could influence how remote communities, businesses and public institutions access high-speed internet.
For now, the next steps remain with the government. Satellite operators must meet the stated security conditions, and the revenue-sharing framework for spectrum assignment must be finalised before services can proceed under the regulatory process described by the communications minister.
