New Delhi: Elon Musk has said Starlink will have to keep its pricing affordable in India to attract customers, arguing that competition among telecom and satellite internet providers would give consumers more choices.
The SpaceX chief made the remarks on X amid an ongoing public dispute with Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani over the entry of Starlink’s satellite broadband services into the Indian market.
“The reality is that competition would greatly benefit the average citizen in India by giving them more choices, as it always does,” Musk wrote, adding that Starlink would need affordable prices because customers would not subscribe if the service were too expensive.
Musk also argued that increased competition could reduce Reliance Jio’s profits without threatening the company’s overall business.
Musk Criticises Arguments Over Starlink Competition
In his post, Musk accused online supporters of Ambani of making contradictory arguments about Starlink’s potential impact on India’s internet market.
He said some argued that Starlink would struggle to compete with Jio’s low prices while simultaneously portraying the satellite internet provider as a major competitive threat.
Musk described these arguments as contradictory and renewed his criticism of what he sees as delays in Starlink’s entry into India.
Reliance has not publicly responded to the latest allegations. The government, meanwhile, has maintained that India’s authorisation framework for telecom and satellite services is fair and non-discriminatory, rejecting claims that the rules are being applied selectively.
Three Companies Have Received Satellite Communication Licences
The debate comes as India expands its satellite communication sector. Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia recently said the country does not permit monopolies in any sector and noted that three companies had received satellite communication licences.
These include Starlink, Reliance Jio’s satellite venture Jio Satcom and Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb. The companies must meet applicable security requirements and other conditions before commencing operations.
Amazon’s Project Kuiper has also expressed interest in entering the market and will need to follow the prescribed authorisation process.
Reliance Jio is developing a satellite constellation planned to comprise more than 1,600 low-Earth orbit satellites, supported by 23 ground stations. Starlink, operated by Musk’s SpaceX, has a much larger existing constellation, with more than 11,000 satellites, according to the figures cited in the report.
At the India Mobile Congress, Jio Infocomm chairman Akash Ambani declined to comment on the dispute, saying the company remained focused on delivering value to Indian consumers.
Jio Platforms IPO Draws Market Attention
Musk’s criticism comes as Reliance’s digital services arm, Jio Platforms, prepares for a highly anticipated initial public offering (IPO).
The proposed issue was expected to open for subscription on October 21, with the market anticipating a listing on October 28. However, the company had not formally announced the dates at the time of the report.
The IPO was estimated at approximately $3.8 billion, which would make it one of India’s largest public offerings if completed at that scale.
According to the draft prospectus, Jio Platforms plans to issue up to 27 crore fresh equity shares, representing around 2.9% of its post-issue equity base. The company filed its draft papers in June, and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) issued its final observations on August 28.
The company was also expected to file final IPO documents with SEBI during the week beginning October 12, following overseas investor roadshows.
Starlink’s eventual pricing and launch plans in India will be important factors in determining how it competes with established telecom operators. Musk’s latest remarks indicate that affordability will be central to the company’s strategy in a market where consumers have access to a range of internet services.
