August M
Elon Musk has outlined plans to bring competitively priced satellite internet to India, potentially challenging one of the country’s most powerful telecommunications businesses.
His comments come as billionaire Mukesh Ambani prepares a major stock market listing for Reliance Jio’s parent company reorts Reuters.
Starlink Targets India
According to Reuters, Musk said SpaceX would need to keep Starlink subscriptions within reach of Indian consumers, although he did not announce specific prices.
“Obviously, if Starlink is too expensive in India, no one will buy it, so SpaceX will need to make pricing affordable,” Musk wrote Saturday on X.
India already offers some of the world’s cheapest mobile internet services, with data costing approximately eight cents per gigabyte.
Musk argued that greater competition would increase consumer choice while reducing Reliance Jio’s earnings, rather than threatening the company’s survival.
Billionaires Clash Over Competition
The announcement comes shortly before Jio Platforms seeks a stock market valuation approaching $106 billion in what Reuters described as India’s largest-ever initial public offering.
Musk has accused Ambani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration of obstructing Starlink’s entry to protect Jio’s market position.
On Friday, he sarcastically addressed the Reliance chairman as “Prime Minister Ambani” and questioned whether he would “consider allowing Starlink to compete”.
The Indian government has rejected allegations of preferential treatment, explaining that Starlink, Jio’s satellite business and another applicant are all awaiting final security authorization.
Market Entry Remains Uncertain
Despite Musk’s pricing commitment, Starlink cannot begin commercial operations until Indian regulators complete the outstanding approval process.
Both companies are pursuing opportunities in satellite broadband, although Jio already benefits from an established telecommunications business built around inexpensive data.
Reuters also reported that SpaceX intends to enter the mobile carrier business, beginning in the United States, expanding its ambitions beyond conventional satellite connectivity.
Reliance has not publicly responded to Musk’s latest remarks. No official Starlink launch date or Indian subscription pricing has been confirmed.
Sources: Reuters, October 9 and 11, 2026. Independent verification was unavailable.
