This development is expected to intensify competition in India’s telecom sector as traditional providers like Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel brace for the arrival of space-based internet services
Elon Musk, owner of the global satellite network Starlink, has reaffirmed his commitment to expanding satellite broadband services in India. In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Musk expressed his determination, stating that Starlink will “do its best to serve the people of India.” This statement follows the Indian government’s announcement to allocate spectrum for satellite broadband through administrative means rather than the auction system, timesofindia.indiatimes reported.
This change in policy comes after Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia confirmed that the spectrum allocation for satellite services would be managed administratively, with pricing determined by the telecom regulator. Musk’s response highlights Starlink’s readiness to compete in India’s telecommunications landscape, setting the stage for potential rivalry with industry leaders such as Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel.
As India moves toward finalizing the Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite (GMPCS) license for Starlink, Musk’s company is well-positioned to introduce its cutting-edge services to Indian consumers, providing much-needed connectivity to underserved regions
The shift in government policy has also drawn attention from stakeholders within the telecom industry. Sunil Mittal, chairman of Bharti Enterprises, has voiced his support for Reliance Jio’s stance on treating satellite communications (satcom) and traditional telecom services equally. Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb is also preparing to launch satcom services in India, adding to the competitive landscape.
Musk had previously criticized the auction process, describing it as unprecedented and counterproductive to the global standard set by the International Telecom Union (ITU), which designates satellite spectrum as shared space. The Indian government’s decision appears to align more closely with Starlink’s goals, signaling an opportunity for the company to make headway in the Indian market.
Starlink operates a low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation that provides broadband connectivity to remote areas across the globe. The company has the technological capability to offer satellite broadband services directly to smartphones, regardless of their location.
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