Government Rejects Musk’s Starlink Bias Charge, Says Satellite Approval Process Is Fair

The Indian government has pushed back against Elon Musk’s claim that Starlink is being unfairly held back from launching in the country, saying the same approval process applies to all satellite communication companies seeking to operate in India. 

The Ministry of Communications said on Thursday that India follows a “fair and non-discriminatory” framework and that all three licensed satellite communication providers are currently at broadly the same stage of the regulatory process. 

The response came after Musk alleged that “certain oligarchs” were blocking Starlink’s India entry to protect their market position. He did not name any individual or company. 

Government Says All Three Operators Face the Same Checks 

At the centre of the government’s response is the security clearance process. 

Three companies have received licences to provide satellite communication services using non-geostationary satellite systems Starlink, Bharti Group-backed Eutelsat OneWeb and Reliance Industries-backed Jio Satellite Communications. 

All three are currently undergoing security assessments. 

The government said these checks are part of the licensing process and are intended to ensure that satellite services meet requirements related to the safety of users and their data. 

Only after completing the security assessment can an operator move to the next stage and seek spectrum assignment. 

The ministry said that since all three companies are at broadly the same regulatory stage, claims that the process is being applied unfairly are “baseless and misconceived.” 

Musk Blames ‘Certain Oligarchs’ for Starlink Delay 

The government’s statement followed a strongly worded post from Musk on Wednesday. 

The SpaceX founder alleged that Starlink was being blocked by “certain oligarchs” seeking to maintain what he described as a monopolistic hold over Indian consumers. 

Musk did not provide names or evidence identifying the parties he was referring to. 

His remarks came as Starlink continues to wait for the remaining approvals needed before it can commercially launch satellite internet services in India. 

Starlink already has a Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite licence and authorisation from IN-SPACe, but security clearance and other approvals are still pending. 

Starlink Says It Is Ready for India 

Hours before Musk’s comments, Starlink Vice-President of Business Operations Lauren Dreyer said the company had already made significant preparations for an Indian launch. 

Speaking at the India Mobile Congress, Dreyer said Starlink had established more than 20 gateway sites in India, comprising hundreds of antennas. 

She also said the company had designed its Indian operations around the country’s security requirements, including measures aimed at keeping Indian user data within India. 

Starlink has also built partnerships with Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio as part of its preparations for entering the share market. 

The company’s position is that it is ready to begin services once the remaining government approvals are received. 

Spectrum Assignment Still Ahead 

Even after security clearance, satellite operators will need spectrum before commercial services can begin. 

The Department of Telecommunications has approved a spectrum charge equivalent to 5% of adjusted gross revenue, according to the Business Standard report. 

That proposal is still awaiting approval from the Union Cabinet. 

This means the delay is not limited to Starlink. None of the three licensed operators has yet crossed all the steps required to launch commercial satellite broadband services. 

Starlink’s India Entry Remains a Work in Progress 

Starlink has spent several years working towards an Indian launch, but regulatory and security requirements have kept commercial services from beginning. 

Musk’s latest remarks have now brought that delay into sharper public focus. 

The government, however, has rejected the suggestion that Starlink is being singled out. 

Its position is that Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite Communications are all moving through the same process, with security assessments currently underway before spectrum can be assigned. 

For now, that leaves Starlink’s India launch dependent on the completion of those approvals rather than a confirmed commercial start date.