Starlink, the satellite internet service owned by Elon Musk, stated that its engagement with Indian regulators, industry bodies, and operators stretches back over five years, offering that response to Reliance Industries Ltd, which had noted that India's telecommunications regulations govern domestic and foreign operators alike.
Starlink told officials it has put in place a dedicated network of ground systems, gateway facilities, and supporting infrastructure — all physically located within the country — to route domestic traffic through channels that meet government-mandated approval requirements, with the company stating it stands prepared to deliver broadband connectivity across India.
In a Friday release, Reliance Industries put forward its position on satellite communications competition — Starlink among the operators named — stating that any provider operating within India must adhere to the nation's regulatory framework, and that the company felt compelled to address public commentary directed at it and its standing in the market. The firm's statement noted that, like other enterprises operating domestically, Reliance has developed within a business environment that has historically been open to both local and foreign investment and innovation aimed at benefiting the population. The document went on to assert that adherence to the rule of law underpins that openness.
Officials have confirmed that a uniform review procedure covers every applicant regardless of nationality. Regulatory approvals for Jio's satellite operations remain pending, while the company's leadership has stated that rivals in the market have not been a source of concern. The company describes market competition as the clearest measure of which provider delivers the most value to customers.
In its filing, Reliance noted that Jio launched into India's telecommunications market in 2016 without a single customer, entering a field where multiple operators had long held their ground. Over a decade of operation, Jio has accumulated a subscriber base of more than 530 million, with data pricing across its plans ranking among the lowest recorded anywhere globally.
A broadcasting licence for satellite connectivity services has been granted to Starlink in India, though the company is still subject to security-related vetting and additional regulatory hurdles before any commercial rollout becomes possible. Seven days before that exchange, Musk used his own platform to address Ambani by name, describing him in a post as the true locus of power in India and expressing regret for having failed to recognise that position sooner. The question put to Musk was whether, setting aside any preference for the existing market arrangement, he would be open to permitting Starlink to enter and compete.
