Starlink India launch awaits security review amid Musk-Ambani dispute

Starlink remains unable to start commercial operations in India

SpaceX has yet to launch Starlink commercially in India despite receiving key regulatory clearances, as the company awaits completion of security assessments required before satellite spectrum can be assigned. Elon Musk renewed his criticism of Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Industries, arguing on X that Starlink could connect unserved areas, support learning and help small businesses reach global customers.

Musk alleged that Ambani and Reliance Jio were seeking to prevent Starlink from competing. Reliance Jio, the telecom arm of Reliance Industries, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. India’s Ministry of Communications rejected the allegation, describing its satellite communications framework as fair and non-discriminatory.

Government says licensed operators face the same stage

The ministry said Starlink and two other licensed satellite operators are undergoing security assessments. Those reviews must be completed before the companies can receive satellite spectrum, and the ministry said all three are at broadly the same regulatory stage. Telecommunications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia also said India does not allow a monopoly in any sector.

That process follows a longer disagreement over spectrum allocation. Starlink supported administrative assignment of satellite spectrum, while Jio advocated an auction. New Delhi ultimately chose administrative allocation, but the decision has not yet enabled Starlink to begin commercial operations.

The stalled rollout follows a change in commercial relations between the companies. Last year, SpaceX reached distribution agreements with Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, India’s second-largest telecom operator, to offer Starlink once approvals were in place. The continuing delay extends the uncertainty described in Starlink India approval delay as SpaceX waits for the remaining operating conditions to be met.

Satellite rivals are building their own routes to market

Starlink is not the only company seeking to provide satellite connectivity in the country. Jio has a joint venture with Luxembourg-based SES, while Airtel is a major shareholder in Eutelsat OneWeb. Both telecom groups are pursuing satellite internet services in India, a market with more than a billion internet users.

The episode also adds to Musk’s broader challenges in the country. Tesla launched in India last year after years of anticipation, but data cited by Electrek showed 699 vehicles registered in its first 12 months of deliveries. High import duties made the Model Y’s Indian launch price nearly twice its US price; Tesla later reduced prices, though they remained considerably higher than in the United States.

For businesses planning regulated connectivity services in India, product partnerships and preliminary clearances are not the final step: launch timing remains tied to security assessment, spectrum allocation and the competitive position of domestic operators.