Reliance says Jio and Starlink must follow same rules for satellite internet in India

Reliance Industries has said it welcomes competition from Elon Musk’s Starlink in India, rejecting suggestions that it is blocking the satellite internet service and stressing that all operators must comply with Indian laws and policies.

In a statement posted on X, the company said, “We welcome competition in satellite communications, including Starlink. Every player, Jio included, must serve the people of India and abide by the laws and policies of the land.”

Without naming Musk directly, Reliance said it wanted to clarify the facts “in light of recent remarks about Reliance and the Indian market”.

Musk had alleged that “certain oligarchs” in India were trying to block Starlink’s launch. He later questioned Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani, writing, “Is Ambani the real boss of India?” Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi responded on X: “Welcome to India, Elon. Wait till you discover the other guy.”

Reliance said its own satellite internet venture, Jio, was also awaiting regulatory clearances. The company added that the government applies the same process to every applicant, Indian or foreign.

The statement came a day after Bharti Airtel chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal said he had applied for a satellite internet licence before Musk. “I am significantly ahead of him in the queue. I applied five years back,” Mittal said at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum. Airtel backs the Eutelsat OneWeb project.

India’s Ministry of Communications has said Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite Communications are at broadly similar stages, with all three awaiting security clearances and spectrum allocation before launching commercial services.

At the Indian Mobile Congress 2026, Starlink vice-president Lauren Dreyer said the company was ready to begin operations once it receives approval.

Jio is planning a satellite network of around 1,600 low Earth orbit satellites and 23 ground stations. Satellite internet services can provide connectivity in remote areas where conventional cellular networks are limited.