NEW DELHI: Reliance Industries on Friday said it welcomes competition in India’s satellite communications sector, including Elon Musk’s Starlink, while asserting that all companies must comply with the country’s laws, regulations and security requirements.
In a statement posted on X, the conglomerate said India’s investment environment encourages innovation and competition, provided all participants follow the same regulatory framework. It also clarified that Jio’s own satellite services are awaiting the necessary clearances.
“At Reliance, we have never feared competition. We see it as the truest test of who serves the customer best,” the company said, citing Jio’s entry into the highly competitive telecom market in 2016 and its subsequent growth to more than 530 million customers.
Reliance said Jio had helped expand digital infrastructure and make data services more affordable across the country. It added that every company operating in India, including Jio and Starlink, must serve consumers while abiding by the laws and policies of the land.
The statement came after SpaceX Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk accused vested interests of attempting to obstruct Starlink’s entry into the Indian market.
In a post on X, Musk criticised arguments allegedly made by supporters of Reliance, saying they portrayed Starlink as both unable to compete with Jio’s low prices and potentially too strong a competitor.
Musk argued that greater competition in satellite communications would benefit Indian consumers by expanding their choices. He maintained that although increased competition could reduce the profits of established players, it would not threaten their survival.
In another post, Musk had questioned the regulatory barriers facing Starlink’s commercial rollout in India and accused the existing telecom landscape of favouring established players.
Meanwhile, Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said there was no question of permitting a monopoly in satellite communications, adding that three companies were awaiting final approval for commercial licences.
Scindia also said the government was nearing a final decision on the pricing framework for satellite communication services. He emphasised that all licensed operators, including Starlink, would have to fulfil mandatory security requirements before commencing commercial operations.
The exchange highlights the growing contest over India’s satellite internet market, where regulatory approvals, pricing policies and competition among domestic and international players are expected to shape the sector’s expansion.
