Many have noted the irony: just as the Indian capital, New Delhi, faced hours-long internet blackouts—driven by heavy security measures and persistent protests—Elon Musk, the founder and chairman of SpaceX, found himself embroiled in a classic Twitter spat with the Indian government over Starlink, his satellite internet service.
This time, his targets extended beyond the Indian government. Musk took aim at Reliance Jio and its leader, Mukesh Ambani, accusing the conglomerate of pressuring the government to establish a monopoly in the satellite internet and communications sector. He even went so far as to label Ambani the “real” Prime Minister of India.
“Starlink is licensed in over 165 countries and has complied with every Indian law and requirement for five years—so why hasn’t it been granted a license here yet?” Musk asked in a post, questioning whether Ambani might be the one “actually running India.”
Responses from various quarters in India followed.
Reliance Industries rejected the suggestion that it fears competition, stating that it welcomes satellite broadband operators—including Starlink—provided they adhere to Indian laws and policies. Reliance also noted that Jio’s own satellite service is still awaiting regulatory approval.
Meanwhile, the Department of Telecommunications denied allegations of unequal treatment. The department asserted that the authorization framework is fair and non-discriminatory, noting that Starlink, Reliance Jio, and Eutelsat OneWeb (backed by Bharti) are “at roughly the same stage” in the regulatory process.
In response to Reliance, Starlink stated: “For five years, we have worked closely with Indian regulators, the industry, and operators to build a dedicated system—including gateways and other infrastructure—within India, designed specifically to serve Indian traffic securely and reliably. All of this has been done with the necessary government approvals.”
Everyone Is Lining Up
The most pressing question right now is what exactly Starlink means by “obtaining the necessary government approvals.” Its statement does not explicitly clarify whether security assessments have been completed or if spectrum has been allocated. Securing a satellite communication license and obtaining authorization from IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre) are two distinct steps—both essential prerequisites for any operator to launch commercial services.
The Indian Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has taken a similar stance regarding the approval process. The department noted that while all three operators have secured GMPCS (Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite) licenses, security assessments remain ongoing. GMPCS refers to satellite-based communication systems capable of providing voice, data, fax, and SMS services directly to portable terminals anywhere on the ground.
The DoT added that spectrum allocation will follow once the relevant assessments are concluded.
Consequently, a license alone does not authorize a company to commence commercial operations. Operators must fulfill the conditions attached to their licenses, pass security reviews, and satisfy all requirements related to spectrum allocation.
The dates of these approvals have become a point of contention. Eutelsat OneWeb received its GMPCS license in August 2021 and its IN-SPACe authorization in November 2023. Jio’s satellite division obtained its GMPCS license in March 2022. Starlink received its GMPCS license in June 2025, followed by IN-SPACe authorization in July 2025.
However, this timeline does not tell the whole story. According to The Financial Express, citing records from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Jio Satellite Communications Ltd. (JSCL) completed its security and technical compliance demonstrations on March 20, 2025, while Eutelsat OneWeb completed its own in January 2025. Starlink’s demonstrations, by contrast, are not scheduled to take place until early 2026.
Therefore, if there is any distinction to be made, it is that, following a final assessment, OneWeb should rank ahead of both Starlink and Jio.
Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, noted that OneWeb submitted its application for approval five years ago; its ground network has been ready for three years, and its satellites have been operational over India for about five years. Mittal added that OneWeb would be pleased to receive approval “at least a few days ahead of him [Musk].”
Differences in timelines do not, in themselves, prove that any one company has been granted preferential treatment or that others have been hindered. Nor do they account for the specific conditions that each company has yet to meet or the tasks that remain incomplete. Consequently, the relevant questions are: What requirements has each operator fulfilled? What tasks remain outstanding? And are the same standards and timelines being applied to all three operators?
Addressing these points will help clarify the issues raised by Musk.
Regulators Remain Unhurried
Sohom Banerjee, a public policy and technology strategist and founder of Quantive Advisory LLP, notes that while these delays raise questions about the predictability of the regulatory process, they do not, in themselves, prove unequal treatment. He argues that a fair process requires consistent safety standards, documented evaluation criteria, clear action items, and defined next steps for every applicant.
Banerjee also cautions against conflating the proposed timeline for a specific regulatory phase with a deadline for the entire process. The 30-day window suggested by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) for spectrum allocation and the resolution of objections applies only to the stage following “in-principle” approval for network deployment; it should not be interpreted as a deadline for the completion of security assessments.
While the criteria for security assessments are not subject to public discussion or consultation, experts speculate that the time required for such evaluations may vary by applicant—a reasonable assumption given that internet services are critical not only for civilian use but also for national defense infrastructure.
The approval process consists of four distinct steps: the GMPCS (Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite) license, IN-SPACe authorization, security assessment, and spectrum allocation. Treating these as a single, monolithic approval process is precisely what complicates the procedure.
Starlink May Be Ready—But Is That Enough?
Starlink’s recent statements highlight its own state of readiness and infrastructure, but they offer no indication as to whether the Indian government has completed its due diligence regarding security assessments.
Although Starlink claims to have established dedicated systems and gateways in India to handle local traffic—and that these have received the necessary government clearances—this does not guarantee the allocation of spectrum.
This distinction is also relevant to Reliance Jio. In its IPO documentation, Jio Platforms identifies satellite broadband as a potential competitor to its JioFiber and JioAirfiber services, particularly in regions where the deployment of terrestrial networks is costly or challenging.
The report further notes that the administrative allocation of satellite spectrum could result in a cost structure for satellite operators that differs from that of terrestrial telecom operators, who typically acquire spectrum through auctions.
Understanding the underlying organizational structure is crucial. Jio Satellite Communications Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jio Platforms, was established in October 2021 to provide communication services, including satellite connectivity.
The company reported operating revenue of 3.43 billion rupees for the 2026 fiscal year, up from 1.07 billion rupees in the 2025 fiscal year; it recorded no revenue in the 2024 fiscal year. For the quarter ending June 30, 2026, the company reported revenue of 1.05 billion rupees. These figures pertain to the subsidiary and should not be interpreted as revenue from retail satellite broadband services, which have yet to be launched.
The filings also note uncertainties regarding the timelines, approval processes, and competitiveness of Jio’s own satellite initiatives. Consequently, even though its services are still awaiting approval, the company maintains a commercial interest in the regulations governing satellite broadband.
It should be clearly stated that, to date, no company has launched satellite internet services in India.
Banerjee noted that a predictable regulatory environment does not imply a relaxation of security checks. Rather, it entails establishing clear standards, defining which authority is responsible for each decision, and outlining the subsequent steps required.
Security checks are critical for satellite broadband, as operators control portions of the communication network—networks that could potentially be utilized in strategically sensitive areas. Assessments must clarify how India can maintain regulatory oversight over network operations, access to sensitive information, and service continuity.
This can also be viewed as a cultural difference; Elon Musk is accustomed to a different governance approach when handling such matters. In the United States, for instance, security clearances are integrated into the overall approval process rather than being treated as a separate, standalone procedure.
Tarun Wig, co-founder and CEO of Innefu Labs, stated that foreign-controlled satellite networks could pose risks related to data sovereignty, service continuity, and external control over critical communication infrastructure—particularly during times of conflict. He pointed out that Starlink’s operations in Ukraine highlight these concerns, though the situation in Ukraine does not necessarily mean India faces identical risks.
Wig suggested that India should establish a robust security framework before such services are launched. He pointed out that this encompasses necessary data protection and localization requirements, cybersecurity audits, encryption, lawful interception in accordance with Indian law, incident reporting, and safeguards to prevent unauthorized access and cyberattacks.
Banerjee addressed the operational control aspects of security assessments. He suggested that relevant checks could include reviewing who has the authority to activate terminals, alter routing or coverage areas, access sensitive network information, or suspend services. Domestic control over critical network functions, auditable access rights, terminal identification, restrictions on sensitive areas, and clear incident-reporting protocols could also form part of the assessment.
The commercial value of satellite broadband is evident in regions where fiber-optic or mobile networks are difficult or costly to deploy. Data from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) indicates that, as of August 2026, there were 48.63 million wired broadband connections and 19.34 million fixed-wireless connections. Satellite services could help connect remote communities and enterprises, including mines, energy facilities, schools, and medical centers. The extent of their reach will depend on pricing, network capacity, and the terms governing spectrum usage.
The government’s position is that all three operators must adhere to the same security protocols. However, to dispel concerns regarding potential delays or unequal treatment, the government needs to provide greater clarity on the next steps: what tasks remain for each operator, who is required to provide sign-off, and what further actions must be completed before spectrum is allocated.
Starlink claims it is ready to launch but remains barred from doing so. Reliance has stated that it does not fear competition, while OneWeb has indicated that it, too, is waiting in line. Ultimately, as none of these companies have yet launched any actual operations, the situation appears less like a genuine impasse and more like a case of Elon Musk being overly impatient.