Musk vows ‘affordable’ Starlink in India as he escalates feud with Ambani

Elon Musk has pledged to offer Starlink satellite internet service at an affordable price in India, directly challenging Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio. This announcement comes just days before Jio's parent company is set to launch India's largest-ever initial public offering, targeting a valuation of $106 billion. Musk stated that Starlink's pricing in India must be affordable to be competitive, noting that competition benefits consumers by providing more choices. He also accused the Indian government and Ambani of delaying Starlink's market entry to favor Jio. Musk's strategy of offering cheap data has been successful in other markets and is a key part of Jio's business model.

India's Ministry of Communications has refuted Elon Musk's claim that "certain oligarchs" are blocking Starlink's satellite internet launch to maintain a monopoly. Musk alleged on X that unnamed entities were hindering Starlink's progress, calling it a "crime against the people of India." The ministry stated on Thursday that its approval process is fair and non-discriminatory, noting that three entities, including Starlink, are at a similar regulatory stage and undergoing security assessments. India's telecommunications sector is dominated by Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel, both of which have also entered the satellite internet market and are awaiting final clearances. Starlink has been seeking commercial operating licenses in India since 2022.

Elon Musk has accused unnamed rivals of obstructing SpaceX's Starlink satellite broadband service in India. SpaceX is currently awaiting approval from the Indian government to launch its service in the country. The article suggests this is a veiled criticism of billionaires Mukesh Ambani and Sunil Bharti Mittal, whose companies, Reliance Industries and Bharti Airtel respectively, hold significant positions in India's telecommunications sector. These established players have reportedly spent years building their market presence. The reason for the alleged obstruction is not explicitly stated in the provided content, beyond Musk's accusation of being "blocked by certain oligarchs."