Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has issued a direct rebuttal to Elon Musk's recent claims that unnamed “oligarchs” are blocking Starlink's entry into the Indian market. RIL, led by Mukesh Ambani, clarified that its own satellite internet services, under Jio, are also undergoing the same regulatory clearance process as any other applicant, foreign or domestic.
The conglomerate's statement, released Friday, emphasized that India's regulatory framework applies equally to all players. "As the Government of India has stated, it applies the same process to every applicant, Indian or foreign. Jio's own satellite services await clearances," the company stated.
RIL Welcomes Competition, Cites Jio's Growth
RIL asserted its long-standing belief in competition as the "truest test of who serves the customer best." The statement highlighted Jio's own entry into India's crowded telecom market in 2016, where it rapidly gained over 530 million customers by offering affordable digital infrastructure.
While welcoming investment and innovation that benefits people's lives, RIL underscored that this openness is "subject to the rule of law." The company explicitly welcomed competition in satellite communications, including Starlink, reiterating that "Every player, Jio included, must serve the people of India and abide by the laws and policies of the land."
Akash Ambani and Sunil Mittal Weigh In
Earlier, Reliance Jio chairman Akash Ambani had sidestepped direct comments on Musk's tirade, stating the company was making "rapid progress" on its satcom plans and was focused on delivering value to Indian consumers.
Adding to the chorus, Sunil Bharti Mittal, founder and chairman of Bharti Airtel, also revealed his company's satellite internet venture has been awaiting regulatory approvals for approximately five years. "My satellites have been hovering over India for the last five years. We don't have the permission. So, we will be very happy to get it at least a few days before him," Mittal remarked, indicating he is significantly ahead of Starlink in the queue.
Musk's Allegations on Social Media
The controversy erupted following several posts by Elon Musk on X (formerly Twitter). Musk accused "certain oligarchs" of maintaining a "monopolistic chokehold" on the Indian people by blocking Starlink, calling it "a crime against the people of India!"
In a subsequent post, Musk controversially addressed Mukesh Ambani as "Prime Minister Ambani," seeking an opportunity for Starlink to compete. He argued that Starlink could provide internet access to many unserved areas of India, improving education and market access for small businesses.