Add MobiGyaan as a preferred source on GoogleThe Government of India has rejected claims that Starlink is being blocked from entering the country, defending its satellite communication regulatory framework as “fair and non-discriminatory.” The response comes after SpaceX CEO Elon Musk alleged that unnamed “oligarchs” were preventing Starlink from operating in India. Starlink and two other satellite broadband providers are currently going through India’s regulatory process, with security clearances and spectrum assignment still pending.
India Says Satellite Regulatory Framework Is Fair
The government issued its clarification after a social media post questioned whether India’s regulatory framework for satellite communication services was being applied differently to Starlink.
According to the government, licences have been granted to three Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) services using non-geosynchronous satellite orbit (NGSO) satellite communications.
Under the terms of their licences, each company must demonstrate compliance with required security conditions to protect users and data. Security assessments are currently underway for all three licensed entities.
Once the security assessment is completed for a licensed entity, it can proceed with the process of seeking spectrum assignment.
The government said all three entities are currently at broadly the same stage of the regulatory process and described claims that the framework or its implementation is unfair or discriminatory as “baseless and misconceived.”
Unfortunately, we are being blocked by certain oligarchs in order to maintain their monopolistic chokehold on the Indian people. You can guess who they are …
This is a crime against the people of India! https://t.co/t3YONgpcm7
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 7, 2026
Starlink beams are turned off over India, so the claim that they were used by anyone for any reason is absolutely false https://t.co/hiUiyMDGF8 pic.twitter.com/y3R2L5JV7h
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 7, 2026
India’s Connectivity Gaps | Remote Areas | BharatNet
The government statement follows an X post by DogeDesigner (@cb_doge) highlighting India’s connectivity gaps and calling for Starlink to begin services in the country.
The post claimed that 11,256 listed villages lacked 4G coverage as of May 2026 and cited rural internet subscription density of 48.31 per 100 people, compared with 126.80 per 100 people in urban India.
It also highlighted BharatNet’s infrastructure, stating that more than 850,000 route-km of fibre had been laid and that Points of Presence were operational at 80,472 Gram Panchayats in June 2026.
The post argued that satellite connectivity could provide another option for remote villages, mountains, and islands where extending conventional fibre or mobile networks can be difficult.
It also highlighted potential applications including:
- Connectivity for remote schools and telemedicine
- Backup communications during disasters
- Internet access for underserved communities
- Direct-to-Cell connectivity beyond conventional tower coverage, subject to approvals and mobile operator partnerships
Elon Musk Alleges Starlink Is Being Blocked
Elon Musk responded to the discussion by alleging that Starlink is being blocked by unnamed “oligarchs” to maintain what he described as a “monopolistic chokehold” on the Indian population.
Musk also claimed that Starlink beams are currently turned off over India. He said claims that Starlink beams were being used by anyone in India for any reason were “absolutely false.”
These claims were made while Starlink remains in the regulatory process, with the required security assessments and subsequent spectrum assignment still pending.
Starlink India Plans | Security Clearance & Spectrum Assignment
Starlink has been preparing for a potential launch in India, with earlier plans pointing to gateway earth stations in Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Mumbai, and Noida.
The company has also previously indicated that pricing briefly displayed on its Indian website was dummy test data caused by a technical glitch, rather than an indication that commercial orders had opened.
Meanwhile, Eutelsat OneWeb, backed by Bharti Group, and Jio Satellite Communications, backed by Reliance Industries, also hold licences for satellite communication services in India. Jio is developing its own low-Earth-orbit satellite constellation, while Amazon Leo is also looking at the Indian market.
For now, Starlink’s commercial launch remains dependent on the completion of the applicable security clearances and spectrum assignment process.