Elon SpaceX founder Elon Musk said Wednesday that “certain oligarchs” are blocking Starlink’s launch in India to protect their control over the country’s internet market.
Musk did not name the individuals, adding only, “You can guess who they are.” In a second post, Musk called the delay “a crime against the people of India” and argued that Starlink would deliver “high-speed, affordable internet connectivity for those who cannot afford current prices.”
The Market And Musk’s Unconfirmed Claims
India’s telecom market is dominated by Mukesh Ambani’s Jio and Sunil Mittal’s Airtel, which together control more than 80% of the market. Jio, owned by Reliance Industries, is the country’s largest telecom operator and has been credited with driving down high-speed mobile data prices since its launch a decade ago. Musk’s posts do not include evidence tying Ambani, Mittal or their companies to blocking Starlink. CNBC reached out to Airtel and Reliance Industries for comment but reported no response.
Regulatory Hurdles
Starlink faces documented regulatory pushback in India over security concerns, which the company has denied. In June, regulators in New Delhi froze approvals for Starlink over fears that its terminals could be used in the country despite the service not yet being licensed.
Partnerships And Scale
SpaceX last year announced deals with Jio and Bharti Airtel to roll out Starlink service across India. Despite those partnerships, the service has yet to launch in the country. Lauren Dreyer, SpaceX’s vice president of Starlink business operations, said the company has been “working for years” in India to close the digital divide. Starlink currently operates more than 11,000 satellites in orbit and provides service in over 170 countries.
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