Musk Signals Affordable Starlink Pricing in India, Intensifying Rivalry With Ambani’s Jio

Competition in India’s internet market could intensify after SpaceX founder Elon Musk said Starlink would need to offer affordable satellite internet services in the country. The move could increase competitive pressure on Reliance Jio, the telecom business associated with billionaire Mukesh Ambani. The development was reported by Al Jazeera and Reuters.

In a post on X on Saturday, Musk said Starlink would struggle to attract customers in India if its service were too expensive. SpaceX would therefore need to keep prices affordable, he said. Musk argued that greater competition would give consumers more choices, while acknowledging that it could reduce Ambani’s profits without putting his business out of operation.

Musk has not announced a specific price for Starlink in India. According to reports, mobile data in the country costs approximately 7.74 rupees per gigabyte, among the lowest rates globally. Reliance Jio’s growth has been closely associated with its low-cost data strategy.

Musk has also accused the Indian government and Ambani of delaying Starlink’s entry into the market to protect Jio’s interests. On Friday night, he sarcastically referred to Ambani as “Prime Minister Ambani” and questioned whether Starlink would be allowed to compete.

The Indian government has rejected allegations of favouritism, saying the approval process is impartial. Starlink, Jio Satellite Communications and OneWeb are all awaiting final security clearances before launching their satellite internet services.

The dispute comes as Jio Platforms prepares for a proposed initial public offering. Reuters reported that the company is targeting a valuation of $106 billion for the offering.

Starlink’s launch date and pricing in India remain unconfirmed. If the service becomes commercially available, it could introduce another competitor into the country’s rapidly evolving internet market.