India Rejects Elon Musk’s Claims of Discriminatory Satellite Internet Regulations
New Delhi — The Indian government on Thursday rejected allegations by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk that the country’s satellite communications regulations unfairly restrict Starlink, insisting that its regulatory framework is transparent, fair and non-discriminatory.
The Ministry of Communications dismissed Musk’s claims that Starlink was being blocked by powerful business interests seeking to protect their dominance in India’s telecommunications market.
In an official statement, the ministry said the government has established a uniform authorization framework covering all telecommunications providers, including satellite-based services.
“Under this, telecom licences have been granted to three Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite services based on non-geosynchronous satellite orbit-based satellite communications, as part of its commitment to enable provision of satellite communication services in India,” the ministry said.
The government emphasized that all licensed satellite communications operators must comply with mandatory security requirements before launching commercial services.
According to the ministry, security assessments are underway for all three licensed operators to ensure that their networks meet standards designed to protect users and their data.
“This is aimed at ensuring that services provided meet various security requirements to ensure the safety of all users and their data. Security assessment as part of this process is currently underway in respect of all the three licensees,” the statement said.
Once an operator completes the security review, it can proceed to the next stage of obtaining spectrum assignments necessary to provide satellite communications services.
The ministry maintained that all three licensed companies are currently at approximately the same stage of regulatory approval, rejecting suggestions that Starlink faces unequal treatment.
“At present, all the three entities are at broadly the same regulatory stage. As such, the suggestion that the framework or its application is unfair or discriminatory is baseless and misconceived,” the ministry said.
The government’s response followed Musk’s remarks on X a day earlier, when he alleged that Starlink was being “blocked by certain oligarchs” seeking to maintain their “monopolistic chokehold” over India’s telecommunications sector.
Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet service, is awaiting final regulatory clearances before it can begin commercial operations in India. (Source: IANS)
