Starlink Says It Is Ready to Bring High-Speed Internet to India as Reliance Welcomes Competition

October 17, 2026

New Delhi: Elon Musk-owned Starlink has said it is ready to connect India with high-speed internet, responding to Reliance Industries Limited’s statement that all companies operating in the country’s satellite communications sector must follow Indian laws and regulations.

In a post on social media platform X, Starlink said it had worked closely with Indian regulators, industry stakeholders and operators for more than five years. The company added that it had established dedicated systems, gateways and other infrastructure within India to serve domestic internet traffic safely and securely.

“Starlink is ready to connect India with high-speed internet,” the company said.

Musk responded to Reliance’s remarks with a brief message on X, saying, “Much appreciated.”

We have worked closely with regulators, industry and operators in India for 5+ years, and built a network of dedicated systems, gateways, and other infrastructure all in-country to exclusively serve Indian traffic safely and securely – and all with the requisite government approvals.

Starlink is ready to connect India with high-speed internet.

— Starlink (@Starlink) October 16, 2026

The exchange comes amid growing competition in India’s satellite communications market and a public disagreement between Musk and Reliance chairman Mukesh Ambani over Starlink’s entry into the country.

Reliance Welcomes Starlink but Stresses Compliance With Indian Laws

In a statement issued on Friday, Reliance Industries said it welcomed competition in satellite communications, including from Starlink, while emphasising that every company must comply with the country’s laws and policies.

“We welcome competition in satellite communications, including Starlink,” the company said, adding that all players, including Jio, must serve Indian consumers and abide by applicable regulations.

Reliance said India remained open to investment and innovation from both domestic and international companies, but stressed that the same regulatory process should apply to every applicant.

The company also pointed out that Jio’s own satellite communication services were awaiting clearances, arguing that domestic and foreign businesses should be subject to the same rules.

Jio’s Growth and Reliance’s Position on Competition

Reliance said it had never feared competition and viewed it as a test of which company could serve customers most effectively.

The company highlighted Jio’s entry into India’s telecommunications market in 2016, when it began operations without an existing customer base. According to Reliance, Jio has since built a base of more than 530 million customers over a decade.

It also credited the telecom operator with expanding digital infrastructure and making mobile data more affordable across India.

Reliance’s response followed Musk’s recent criticism of the circumstances surrounding Starlink’s planned entry into the Indian market. Musk had questioned whether powerful business interests were seeking to limit competition from his satellite internet company.

Starlink Still Needs Final Clearances for Commercial Launch

Starlink has secured a licence to provide satellite communication services in India and says it has built dedicated infrastructure within the country. However, the company still needs to fulfil the remaining security-related requirements and obtain other necessary approvals before launching commercial services.

The distinction is important: Starlink’s statement about its infrastructure and government approvals does not, by itself, mean that commercial services are ready to begin immediately.

India’s regulatory process has also affected other satellite communication providers. Authorities have said that security requirements must be completed before licensed operators can begin commercial operations.

No commercial launch date was announced in Starlink’s latest statement.

Musk’s Remarks on Mukesh Ambani Intensify Debate

The latest exchange follows a series of posts in which Musk criticised the obstacles facing Starlink’s entry into India.

In one post on X, Musk sarcastically addressed Ambani as “Dear Prime Minister Ambani” and questioned whether the Reliance chairman would allow Starlink to compete in the Indian market. He also referred to Ambani as the “real boss of India” in an earlier post.

Musk suggested that established business interests could be seeking to preserve their market position. Reliance, in response, said it welcomed competition and maintained that all companies must follow the same legal and regulatory framework.

The disagreement has brought renewed attention to the future of satellite-based internet services in India, where Starlink and domestic telecom companies are preparing to compete in a market with substantial demand for connectivity.

For Indian consumers, the eventual launch of additional satellite internet services could expand connectivity options, particularly in areas where conventional broadband infrastructure is difficult to establish. However, the timing and terms of Starlink’s commercial launch will depend on the completion of the required approvals.