Starlink says it's ready for India; Reliance hits back

Starlink, Elon Musk's satellite internet company, said on 16 October 2026 that it is "ready to connect India with high-speed internet", after Reliance Industries publicly responded to Musk's criticism of delays in approving the service. Musk replied to Reliance's statement with two words: "Much appreciated."

Despite the exchange, Starlink still needs further regulatory and security clearances before it can sell service in India, according to reports, and no launch date has been announced.

Key points

• Starlink says it has worked with Indian regulators for more than five years and built in-country infrastructure "with the requisite government approvals".
• Reliance says the government applies "the same process to every applicant, Indian or foreign", and that Jio's own satellite service is also awaiting clearances.
• Bharti Enterprises chairman Sunil Mittal said Eutelsat OneWeb, in which Bharti is a major investor, has also waited about five years.
• Starlink, Jio's satellite arm and Eutelsat OneWeb hold satellite communications licences, but more requirements remain before launch.

What each side said

The row began with Musk's allegations that Starlink's entry into India was being held up, and his questions about the influence of Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani, whose Jio is India's largest mobile operator, according to Business Today and Sunday Guardian.

Reliance replied that it welcomes competition in satellite internet, including from Starlink, but that all companies must follow Indian law and policy. "At Reliance, we have never feared competition," it said. It added that the government applies the same process to every applicant, and that Jio's own satellite services are waiting for clearances too.

Starlink then posted on X that it had worked with Indian regulators, industry and operators for more than five years, had built infrastructure in India "with the requisite government approvals", and was ready to launch.

Musk responded to Reliance's statement: "Much appreciated." He didn't say whether his concerns had been resolved.

Indian authorities have denied that the approval process discriminates against any company, reports said.

Starlink India launch: what's still pending

Starlink received a licence to offer satellite communications services in India in 2025. But a licence alone doesn't allow commercial service. Operators also need satellite spectrum to be assigned and must meet security conditions, such as where data is stored and how traffic is monitored, before they can switch on.

All three main players, Starlink, Jio's satellite venture and Eutelsat OneWeb, have licences and are waiting on the same remaining steps, according to Business Today.

What Starlink might cost

When Starlink briefly published Indian prices in late 2025, its residential plan was listed at ₹8,600 a month (about $89) plus about ₹34,000 for equipment, though it wasn't approved to sell then. Final prices for India haven't been confirmed.

Why it matters: Hundreds of millions of Indians in remote villages, hills and islands still lack reliable broadband. Satellite internet could reach them faster than cables or towers, if the price is right. For readers abroad, the clash between Musk and Ambani, two of the world's richest men, is a test of how India balances local champions, foreign entrants and national security in a strategic sector.

A satellite constellation can cover a country in weeks. Getting permission to switch it on takes longer. For a village in Ladakh or the Andamans, what matters isn't who wins the argument online, but when any of these services actually goes live, and at what price.