New Delhi: Bharti Enterprises chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal has taken a lighthearted jab at Elon Musk's Starlink venture, asserting that Airtel applied for regulatory approval years ahead of the billionaire's company and is currently waiting for official clearance from the government.
Speaking at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum, Mittal noted that Bharti Airtel's satellite internet venture already has its ground infrastructure prepared and satellites positioned over India, but operations remain on hold pending necessary permissions. He added that he expects his company to receive authorization prior to Starlink.
Mittal explained that he is significantly ahead in the queue after applying five years ago, maintaining a ready ground network for the past three years, and keeping satellites hovering over India for half a decade. While acknowledging that they still lack permission, he remarked that his team would be pleased to secure the green light at least a few days before Musk's service.
These remarks arrive amid mounting friction between Musk and India's telecommunications sector over the sluggish entry of Starlink into the market. The SpaceX-backed satellite provider has spent years attempting to establish operations in the country but continues to await crucial clearances required for commercial rollout.
The latest exchange follows public criticism from Musk, who accused influential business entities of trying to block Starlink's market entry. Musk later targeted Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani directly on social media, questioning if he held supreme control over Indian business affairs.
Starlink's ongoing wait involves final security clearances and spectrum allocation after submitting its Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite licence application in November 2022. India's Ministry of Communications has firmly rejected assertions that the regulatory environment favors domestic firms, clarifying that Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb, and Jio Satellite Communications occupy similar stages in the review process.
The ministry dismissed claims of regulatory discrimination as entirely unfounded. This bureaucratic wait highlights intensifying competition within India's emerging satellite internet sector, where major industry players are gearing up to deliver connectivity to millions of consumers lacking reliable broadband access.
Both Airtel and Reliance Jio are actively preparing competing satellite connectivity initiatives. Bharti Enterprises has advanced its satellite strategy through Eutelsat OneWeb, with leadership indicating that earlier applications and extensive preparation should support their case for expedited approval.
Simultaneously, Reliance Jio is advancing its proprietary satellite communication framework. Jio chairman Akash Ambani noted during the India Mobile Congress that the corporation is developing indigenous satellite stacks alongside advanced AI-driven communication tools and next-generation network technologies.
Despite the competitive landscape, potential partnerships remain on the table. Both Airtel and Jio previously established agreements with SpaceX to potentially distribute Starlink equipment and services across India once government approvals are secured, while also keeping infrastructure-sharing options open.
Starlink maintains that its constellation can provide high-speed internet access to regions where traditional terrestrial broadband and cellular infrastructure prove challenging to build. However, the ultimate success of these satellite services in India will heavily depend on competitive pricing strategies tailored for a highly cost-sensitive consumer base.