Bengaluru: Elon Musk has pledged to make Starlink’s satellite internet service affordable in India as he prepares to compete with Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio, intensifying their rivalry days before Jio Platforms launches what is expected to be India’s largest-ever initial public offering (IPO).
Jio Platforms, which owns Reliance’s telecommunications business, is targeting a valuation of $106 billion for the offering. Both Starlink, owned by Musk’s SpaceX, and Jio’s satellite internet venture are awaiting final security clearance to begin operations in India.
Affordable data pricing has been central to Jio’s growth in the Indian market. Musk has followed a similar strategy in other markets, including Kenya, where Starlink’s entry has challenged established telecommunications operators. SpaceX is also planning to enter the mobile carrier market, beginning in the United States.
Musk has not disclosed Starlink’s proposed prices for India, where mobile data costs around 8 cents per gigabyte, among the lowest rates globally. In a post on his social media platform X, Musk noted that Starlink would need to offer affordable prices to attract Indian customers.
He also argued that competition would benefit ordinary Indians by providing more choices, even if it reduced Ambani’s profits. Musk added that increased competition would not drive Reliance out of business.
Musk accuses India of delaying Starlink
Musk’s comments follow a series of posts on X accusing the Indian government and Ambani of delaying Starlink’s entry into one of the world’s largest internet markets to protect Jio’s dominant position. The remarks represent a notable shift in Musk’s previously warm public relationship with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
India’s government has rejected allegations of favouritism, stating that all three satellite internet ventures seeking to enter the market, including Starlink and Jio’s initiative, are awaiting final security clearance.
Earlier, Musk directly addressed Ambani as ‘Prime Minister Ambani’ in a post on X, questioning whether the Reliance chairman would allow Starlink to compete in India.
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