MUMBAI (Diya TV) — Mukesh Ambani, the chairman of Reliance Industries, is once again at odds with Elon Musk, this time over the allocation of satellite spectrum for internet services in India. At the heart of the conflict is the method by which India’s satellite spectrum should be assigned—a debate that has split the industry and regulators alike.
Ambani’s Reliance Jio has pushed for an auction process, arguing that it is the only fair method to allocate satellite spectrum. This stance challenges Musk’s Starlink, which along with Amazon’s Project Kuiper, supports an administrative allocation method that aligns with global practices. Musk’s proposal advocates for a licensing system without a competitive auction, aiming to expedite the rollout of satellite broadband services across India.
The Indian satellite internet market is projected to grow rapidly, with Deloitte estimating it will reach $1.9 billion by 2030. Since Reliance dominates India’s terrestrial telecom space, controlling satellite spectrum is a strategic priority for the company. Ambani, therefore, is insisting on auctions to maintain competitiveness in the satellite space, especially as foreign players like Starlink seek to enter the market.
In a letter to India’s Telecom Regulatory Authority (TRAI) and Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, Reliance Jio has formally called for a revision of existing recommendations. They argue that TRAI’s current stance, which leans toward administrative allocation, unfairly benefits foreign companies. Jio claims that satellite services could compete with terrestrial networks, necessitating the same auction-based system that applies to mobile spectrum.
The conflict reflects deeper concerns about market entry for global giants in India’s data services market. While Musk’s Starlink has successfully launched services in several countries, India’s regulatory landscape remains a significant barrier. The final decision by India’s Department of Telecommunications will likely shape the future of satellite broadband in the country.
Both companies are preparing for what is expected to be a drawn-out regulatory battle. The stakes are high, as whichever approach is adopted will impact the speed, cost, and accessibility of satellite internet services for millions of users across India.
