Reliance Industries, the parent company of Jio, issued a statement on Friday addressing the controversy surrounding Starlink's entry into India. The company emphasized that it has never feared competition and views it as a test of who best serves customers. Reliance highlighted that Jio's satellite services are still awaiting regulatory clearances in India, according to livemint.com.
The statement came after Elon Musk criticized Jio and Airtel on social media, alleging they have vested interests in blocking Starlink's market entry. Reliance responded by reaffirming its commitment to the rule of law and India's open investment environment. The company noted that Jio entered India's telecom market in 2016 with no customers and has since grown to serve over 530 million users, providing affordable data and robust digital infrastructure, livemint.com reported.
Reliance stressed that it welcomes competition in satellite communications, including from Starlink, but underscored that all players must comply with Indian laws and policies. The company framed this stance within the broader context of India's regulatory framework, which applies equally to domestic and foreign enterprises. This response highlights the ongoing tensions between global satellite internet providers and established Indian telecom firms, as the government evaluates new entrants, according to livemint.com.
Jio's satellite services remain under regulatory review, with approvals pending from Indian authorities. The company’s statement reaffirmed its position that competition is essential but must operate within the legal framework. The controversy follows Elon Musk's public remarks on X, intensifying scrutiny of India's satellite internet market.