Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Oct 16: Reliance Industries has welcomed competition in India’s satellite communications sector, including Elon Musk’s Starlink, while stressing that all applicants, whether Indian or foreign, must follow the country’s laws and regulatory procedures.

In a statement posted on X, Reliance said India welcomes investment and innovation from both domestic and international companies, provided they improve people’s lives. The company added that Jio’s own satellite services were awaiting the necessary clearances.

“Like every Indian enterprise, Reliance has grown in an India that welcomes investment and innovation, homegrown or international, that improve the lives of the people. That openness rests on the rule of law,” the statement said.

Highlighting Jio’s entry into the Indian telecom market in 2016, Reliance said the company entered as a new player with no customers and went on to build a customer base of more than 530 million in ten years by offering affordable data and digital infrastructure.

Reliance said it had never feared competition, describing it as the strongest test of which company serves customers best. It reiterated that every satellite communications provider, including Starlink and Jio, must serve Indian consumers while complying with the country’s laws and policies.

The statement came after SpaceX CEO Elon Musk criticised the Indian conglomerate, alleging that vested interests were obstructing Starlink’s entry into the Indian market.

Meanwhile, Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said the government would not allow a monopoly in satellite communications. He said three applicants were awaiting final approval for commercial licences.

Scindia also said India was nearing a final decision on the pricing framework for satellite communication services. All licensed operators, including Starlink, must meet the prescribed security requirements before beginning commercial operations.