Elon Musk is currently seeking market entry for his satellite internet service, Starlink, in India. He recently publicly questioned the regulatory delays, addressing Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani regarding the competitive landscape. Ambani, whose net worth is estimated at $86.3 billion, leads the Jio network, which currently serves over 520 million subscribers in the country.
Jio is developing a competing satellite network with a projected capacity of 5 terabits per second, significantly higher than the 600 gigabits approved for Starlink. Industry analysts estimate the development cost for the Jio project to be between $10 billion and $15 billion. The company aims to launch its first test flight in September 2027, with the full constellation of 1,600 satellites expected by 2035.
Despite receiving an Indian operating license in June 2025, Starlink still requires security clearance from the Home Ministry and the allocation of airwaves. Jio’s satellite division faces the same regulatory requirements. While Starlink reports the completion of 20 ground stations in India, the government has officially denied allegations of creating a monopoly or providing unfair treatment to any market participant.
