India says Starlink, Jio and OneWeb can compete on equal terms

Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said the three satellite operators are at the same stage of approval and must complete fee and security requirements before launching services.

India’s Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said on October 9 that the country does not allow a monopoly in any sector. He was responding to Elon Musk’s allegations that oligarchs were blocking Starlink’s entry into the Indian market. Scindia said the Department of Telecommunications takes a technology-neutral approach and that customers should be free to choose their provider.

The minister said the three satellite internet licence applicants — Starlink, Jio and Bharti-backed OneWeb — are at the same stage. They still need to finalise the system of charges for spectrum use and meet security and other operating requirements.

Scindia said each company could begin operations once it meets the conditions. He explained that the fee system had not been announced because the government did not want to rush the rules and then be asked to revise them a few months later. All India Radio and Business Standard also reported the minister’s remarks.