Ambani's Reliance welcomes Starlink competition in first response to Musk

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Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), whose subsidiary is Jio Platforms Ltd., has hit back at U.S. Billionaire Elon Musk for his recent remarks on the company and the Indian market in connection with his satellite service Starlink.

“In light of recent remarks about Reliance and the Indian market, we wish to place the facts on record,” RIL said in a statement on Friday (October 16, 2026).

“Like every Indian enterprise, Reliance has grown in an India that welcomes investment and innovation, homegrown or international, that improve the lives of the people,” the company said.

“That openness rests on the rule of law. As the Government of India has stated, it applies the same process to every applicant, Indian or foreign,” it added.

Stating that Jio’s own satellite services await clearances, the company said, “At Reliance, we have never feared competition. We see it as the truest test of who serves the customer best.”

“Jio itself entered India’s crowded telecom market in 2016 as the newest player, with not a single customer. In just ten years, Jio has earned the trust of over 530 million customers and given Indians some of the best digital infrastructure and most affordable data in the world,” the company said.

“We welcome competition in satellite communications, including Starlink. Every player, Jio included, must serve the people of India and abide by the laws and policies of the land,” it emphasised.

Recently Mr. Musk on X had stated, “We are being blocked by certain oligarchs to maintain monopolistic chokehold on Indian people... This is a crime against India!”

“Is Ambani the real boss of India?” he had asked , adding Starlink was licensed in 165 countries, has 5 years compliance in India, still no final license had been granted yet.

The Indian Government has reportedly responded saying the framework was “fair and non-discriminatory”.

It stated Starlink, Jio Satellite, Eutelsat OneWeb of Airtel have satcom license but all were awaiting final security clearance and spectrum allocation so the allegations of discrimination was baseless.

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