Govt rejects Musk’s ‘Oligarchs’ charge, says Starlink faces same rules as others

The Government of India on Thursday rejected Elon Musk’s allegation that “certain oligarchs” are blocking Starlink’s entry into India, asserting that the country’s regulatory framework for satellite communication services is fair and non-discriminatory.

The clarification came on Thursday, a day after the X and Starlink chief alleged in a tweet that vested interests were preventing the satellite internet service from launching in India.

“Unfortunately, we are being blocked by certain oligarchs in order to maintain their monopolistic chokehold on the Indian people. You can guess who they are … This is a crime against the people of India!” Musk posted on X on October 7. His post got viral with hundreds of shares and comments from Indian netizens. 

Musk did not name any individual or company in the post.

Read: Why are Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos eyeing India's SatCom market?

Responding to the controversy, the government said that India has established a common authorisation framework for telecom services, including satellite communication.

“The Government has put in place a fair and non-discriminatory authorisation framework for all telecommunication services, including satellite communication services,” the Ministry said in a statement issued through the Press Information Bureau.

The government said licences have been granted to three Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) service providers using non-geosynchronous satellite orbit-based systems. Each licensee is required to demonstrate compliance with stipulated security conditions before proceeding to the next stage of the process.

“Security assessment as part of this process is currently under way in respect of all the three licensees. As and when this process is completed for a licensed entity, it may proceed to the next step of seeking assignment of spectrum,” the government said.

It added that all three entities are currently at “broadly the same regulatory stage”.

“As such, the suggestion that the framework or its application is unfair or discriminatory is baseless and misconceived,” the Ministry said.

Starlink Has Built India Infrastructure, But Awaiting Clearances

Musk’s comments came shortly after Starlink’s Vice President of Business Operations Lauren Dreyer said at India Mobile Congress 2026 that the company was ready to serve the Indian market once it received the necessary approvals.

Dreyer said Starlink had built its operations around Indian security requirements and had already invested in ground infrastructure, including 20 gateway sites comprising hundreds of antennas. She also said the company was keeping Indian user data within India.

“We've built our Starlink operations specifically for India in recognition of Indian security requirements and other regulations, establishing controls at every layer for India and keeping Indian user data within India,” Dreyer said.

Starlink is among three satellite communication companies that have secured GMPCS licences in India. Reliance-backed Jio Satellite Communications and Eutelsat OneWeb, backed by Bharti Group, are also awaiting the completion of the regulatory process before commercial services can begin.

The government’s clarification therefore comes at a time when India’s nascent satellite broadband market is shaping up as a contest between domestic telecom incumbents and global satellite operators.

A High-Stakes SatCom Market

Starlink’s India ambitions have been closely watched since the company first began pursuing a regulatory foothold in the country. Amazon, too, has been reportedly preparing to enter the satellite broadband market through Project Kuiper.

As e4m reported in 2024, India’s satellite broadband market was projected by Deloitte to grow at around 36% annually to reach $1.9 billion by 2030. At the time, industry estimates suggested that satellite connectivity could play a significant role in extending broadband to areas where terrestrial infrastructure remains difficult or expensive to deploy.

The competitive dynamics have since become more pronounced. Jio and Airtel-backed satellite ventures already have a significant presence in India’s broader connectivity ecosystem, while Starlink brings a global low-earth-orbit satellite constellation and an established international customer base.

For now, however, the government’s position is that Starlink is not being singled out. All three licensees, it says, are undergoing the same broad security assessment process — with spectrum assignment to follow once the requisite clearances are completed.