16 October 2026 (Navroze Bureau) Reliance Industries has rejected allegations surrounding the delayed launch of Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service in India, stating that the country’s regulatory framework applies equally to domestic and foreign companies. The company said it welcomes competition and believes that businesses should be allowed to compete under the same rules.
In a statement issued on October 16, Reliance said it had grown in an environment that welcomes investment and innovation from both Indian and international companies. The company emphasised that its own satellite internet venture, Jio Satcom, is also awaiting regulatory clearances, countering suggestions that Reliance is seeking to prevent Starlink from entering the Indian market.
Reliance says it welcomes competition
Reliance stated that it has never feared competition and considers it an important test of how effectively a company serves its customers. To support its position, the company highlighted the growth of Reliance Jio since its launch in 2016.
Jio has expanded to more than 530 million subscribers, becoming India’s largest mobile operator. Reliance said its growth demonstrates its willingness to compete in the country’s telecommunications market.
The company’s response comes amid an increasingly public disagreement over the entry of satellite-based broadband services into India. Starlink, operated by Musk’s SpaceX, aims to provide internet connectivity through satellites, including in remote and underserved areas where conventional broadband infrastructure may be limited.
What did Elon Musk allege?
Musk has criticised delays in Starlink’s commercial launch in India and suggested that powerful domestic business interests could be influencing the process. He has questioned why Starlink has not yet begun commercial operations despite obtaining a licence and working toward compliance with Indian requirements.
In social media posts, Musk also questioned whether Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani was using his position to protect the company’s market interests. These comments formed part of his broader argument that Starlink should be allowed to compete and offer customers another option for internet connectivity. The allegations have not been established as facts.
Government says all providers must meet the same requirements
The Indian government has separately rejected claims that the regulatory framework favours any particular company. Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said India does not permit monopolies in any sector and maintained that the approval process is not designed to discriminate against individual operators.
The government has stated that Starlink, Reliance Jio’s satellite venture Jio Satcom and Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb have received satellite communication licences. However, commercial operations require companies to complete prescribed security assessments and other regulatory steps, including requirements related to spectrum.
The issue of security clearances remains important because satellite communication services must comply with India’s regulatory and security conditions before offering commercial services. The government has said that the relevant assessment process applies to all three licensed providers.
What the dispute means for India’s internet market
The dispute comes as satellite broadband companies seek a larger role in India’s expanding digital market. Satellite-based services could provide additional connectivity options for households, businesses and institutions in areas that are difficult to reach through traditional mobile networks or fibre-optic infrastructure.
Starlink’s entry could increase competition in the satellite internet segment, while Reliance Jio and other domestic operators are also pursuing opportunities in the sector. The eventual impact on prices, service availability and consumer choice will depend on regulatory approvals, infrastructure deployment and the commercial plans of individual providers.
For now, Reliance has made its position clear: it says it welcomes domestic and international competitors and insists that all operators must follow the same approval process. Musk, meanwhile, continues to press for Starlink’s commercial entry into India. The outcome will depend on regulatory decisions and each company’s ability to meet the required conditions.