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In a boost to Elon Musk's <keyword id="20034452" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="starlink" source="keywords">Starlink</keyword>, Communications Minister Scindia has said the spectrum for satellite broadband will be allocated and not auctioned as sought by Indian billionaires Mukesh Ambani and Sunil Mittal. The satellite broadband spectrum will however be not given free and sector regulator Trai will fix a price for the resource, he told PTI in a text and video interview. "Every country has to follow the <keyword id="20848482" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="international-telecommunications-union" source="keywords">International Telecommunications Union</keyword> (ITU), which is the organisation that lays out the policy for spectrum in space or satellites, and the ITU has been very clear in terms of the spectrum being given out on an assignment basis. In addition, if you look across the world today, I cannot think of a single country that auctions spectrum for satellite," Scindia said. India is a member of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), a UN agency for digital technology. Musk's Starlink and global peers like Amazon's Project Kuiper back an administrative allocation. While Ambani's Reliance Jio has been vocal about the need to allocate such spectrum through an auction to provide a level playing field to legacy operators who buy airwaves and set up infrastructure like telecom towers, Mittal last month at an industry event where Prime Minister Narendra Modi was also present articulated the need to use bidding for such allocation. Jio and Mittal's Bharti Airtel - India's largest and second-largest operators, respectively - feel that giving away the satellite broadband airwaves at a pre-decided price by the government will create an uneven playing field since they had to compete in an auction to get spectrum for their terrestrial wireless phone networks. The two are vying for a piece of the satellite broadband segment as well. Musk-led Starlink is demanding administrative allotment of licences in line with the global trend as it looks to tap into the world's fastest-growing mobile telephony and internet market. Scindia said the Telecom Act of 2023 passed in December has put the matter in 'Schedule 1', which means that the Satcom spectrum will be allocated administratively. Such an allocation will be at a government-decided price, and allow foreign firms like Starlink to offer voice and data services. If the spectrum were to be auctioned, it would have made it costlier for Starlink to roll out services. Starlink has applied for a licence to start operations in the country. Scindia, however, offered no clues on the fate of his application. The minister said that the regulatory process is very clear and transparent. The new Telecom Act has been passed, and the Satellite spectrum is very clearly a part of that in schedule one, he pointed out. "...and therefore, we are open to looking at the application of any entity that wants to invest in India at this point in time. I think only one or two licenses have been given out. And whoever else wants to participate, India is surely going to welcome that," the minister said. Last month, Musk, in a post on X, termed the demand made by Jio for shunning sector regulator Trai's consultation paper on satellite broadband being allocated and not auctioned as "unprecedented", and when Mittal made the pitch in the presence of the Prime Minister, he asked if it was "too much trouble" to allow Starlink to provide internet services in India. This was perhaps the first time that Musk, whose networth of USD 241 billion is more than the combined wealth of Ambani, Mittal and Gautam Adani, had spoken directly against demands for a level playing field made by the Indian firms. Musk, the mind behind PayPal, founder of Tesla and SpaceX and owner of X (formerly Twitter), uses his social media platform on a daily basis to make his views known on a vast array of topics.

In a win for Elon Musk, Scindia says no to spectrum auction pitch from Ambani, Mittal

<keyword id="21282723" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="satellite-communications" source="keywords">Satellite communications</keyword> is a "magic bullet" to cover dark unconnected areas, <keyword id="22764352" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bharti-Chairman" source="keywords">Bharti Chairman</keyword> <keyword id="20104229" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Sunil-Mittal" source="keywords">Sunil Mittal</keyword> said on Monday, adding that players now have a great new opportunity to leverage satellite connectivity to cover <keyword id="20534956" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="remote-areas" source="keywords">remote areas</keyword> that have so far been left out. Speaking at the <keyword id="23624328" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="NDTV-World-Summit" source="keywords">NDTV World Summit</keyword>, Mittal said that nearly two billion people in the world are still not connected to the internet, and in the Indian context too there are areas -- large swathes of desert, forests, coastlines -- where neither mobile networks, not fibre is feasible. "For those areas you need satellite communications, and that, to my mind, offers now a great source of new opportunities for us, mobile operators, or <keyword id="20055601" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="telecom-operators" source="keywords">telecom operators</keyword>, to put that in a mix and start to cover areas which are still left behind," Mittal said. About five per cent of India's population sans <keyword id="19936241" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="internet-connectivity" source="keywords">internet connectivity</keyword> lives in 25 per cent of the area, he said, emphasising that satellite is the only solution for them. "India provides a very high quality signal to 95 per cent of its population, but there are still five per cent of people who do not get internet in the country, and they live in 25 per cent of the area of the country. So it's a very large area with a very small population, the only way to cover that is satellite," Mittal said. Mittal said that two ground stations in Mehsana (Gujarat) and in Pondicherry are in a state of preparedness and ready to start services. "The day government gives us the permission, there will not be a single square inch of this country which will not have a radio coverage. So you just need to raise your hand and be connected," he said. Mittal said he is of the view that satellite is truly a "magic bullet" to cover the dark areas, and noted that about 2 billion people in the world are still not connected to internet, including in advanced countries like the US. The telecom stalwart's comments assume significance as billionaire Elon Musk and Indian tycoons Mukesh Ambani and Mittal are locked in a standoff over satellite spectrum, and nuances of its allocation in India. While Ambani's <keyword id="19896911" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Reliance-Jio" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Reliance Jio" meta.hostid="268" meta.entityid="Reliance Jio">Reliance Jio</keyword> has been vocal about the need to allocate such spectrum through an auction to give a level-playing field to legacy operators who buy airwaves and set up infrastructure like telecom towers, Mittal during India Mobile Congress held last week articulated the need for satellite companies harbouring any urban ambitions to buy spectrum as telecom companies do. Musk-led <keyword id="20034452" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Starlink" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Starlink" meta.hostid="268" meta.entityid="Starlink">Starlink</keyword> is demanding administrative allotment of licences in line with the global trend as it looks to tap into the world's fastest-growing mobile telephony and internet market. This has found some backing in Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, who said recently that such airwaves will be given out through administrative allocation at a cost, but not auctioned.

Satellite 'magic bullet' to connect the unconnected; offers opportunity to cover areas left out: Sunil Mittal

<ul class="summary-list"><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk">Elon Musk</a> has been feuding with a Brazilian justice for months over <keyword id="20363452" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="content-moderation" source="keywords">content moderation</keyword> on <keyword id="19959117" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="X" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="X" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="X">X</keyword>.</li><li>The disagreement has resulted in over $3 million in fines on X and restrictions on <keyword id="20034452" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Starlink" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Starlink" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Starlink">Starlink</keyword>.</li></ul><keyword id="19903807" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Elon-Musk" source="keywords">Elon Musk</keyword> hasn't shied away from fights since he bought Twitter and renamed it X <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/did-elon-musk-buy-twitter-acquisition-details">in 2022.</a> Musk's approach to content moderation — which he insists is due to his advocacy for free speech — has been challenged in countries like Australia, Nigeria, Turkey, and India. But now it's led him into a <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-fightingwars-alot-of-fronts-2024-8#:~:text=Elon%20Musk's%20conflicts%20include,is%20also%20juggling%20four%20companies.">high-stakes conflict</a> with Brazilian Supreme Court <keyword id="21241885" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Justice-Alexandre-de-Moraes" source="keywords">Justice Alexandre de Moraes</keyword>. <keyword id="19935367" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Brazil" source="keywords">Brazil</keyword>'s judiciary branch has dueled tech companies like Whatsapp and Telegram in the past. But the disagreement over moderation on X has blown up, leading to threats of arresting X employees and restrictions on other companies owned by Musk. As of Tuesday, Musk's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-starlink-satellites-internet">satellite provider Starlink</a> agreed to follow court orders to block access to X in Brazil, which serves as the platform's fifth largest population of users. It's not clear what will happen next, but professor at FGV Law School in Rio de Janeiro Luca Belli told Business Insider he thinks the situation will be solved in a few days once investors start calling Musk. "I think at some point it will be a little bit difficult to explain that his commitment to absolute freedom of expression is losing millions to investors," Musk said. Here's a timeline of the international feud: <h2>Brazilian officials crack down on social media censorship</h2>Moraes started to tighten restrictions on free speech a few years ago, when he opened an investigation into "fake news" during former President Jair Bolsonaro's term. X initially <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/GlobalAffairs/status/1776729732970594483">agreed</a> to remove over 100 accounts flagged for hate speech, misinformation, and attacks on democracy while vowing to "challenge the orders legally when possible." Musk remained vocal about disagreeing with Justice De Moraes's stance, frequently publicizing his concerns about the leader and calling the justice a dictator, and <a target="_blank" href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1776989005848207503">calling</a> for him to "resign or be impeached." <h2>X ignores Moraes' orders</h2>While X first agreed to adhere to the orders, Musk announced in April that he was reversing the restrictions, saying in a post on X that "principles matter more than profit." De Moreas responded that Musk would be investigated for obstruction of justice after refusing to remove the accounts. He also said Musk would face a fine of about $20,000 every time an account was reactivated on X, <a target="_blank" class="" href=" https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20240408-brazil-supreme-court-judge-orders-probe-on-elon-musk-for-censorship">according</a> to a report from French publication AFP. <h2>Justice de Moreas ups the stakes</h2>Musk closed X offices in Brazil on August 17 after de Moreas threatened to arrest an X legal representative, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/GlobalAffairs/status/1824819053061669244">according</a> to a statement from X's Global Affairs team. X was then banned from Brazil on August 31 after failing to follow orders to name a legal representative for X. Moraes said the ban would remain in effect until over $3 million in fines were paid and a legal representative was named. De Moraes also <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/vpn-demand-surges-brazil-x-banned-legal-threats-fines-2024-9" target="_blank">threatened a nearly $9,000 daily fine</a> on any person in the country who attempted to access X with a VPN, which Musk had <a href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1777089879295631409" target="_blank">recommended</a> for users. <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/brazil-starlink-sanctions-amid-feud-elon-musk-x-2024-9">Starlink's bank accounts were also frozen in the country</a> on August 29 to help cover X's fines since the companies were linked by Musk's ownership, <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://apnews.com/article/brazil-starlink-x-block-compliance-musk-supreme-court-moraes-d09dfe4c6fbfacf303968fe44bcd0ab1">according to an Associated Press report</a>. The company provides satellite internet to over 200,000 customers in Brazil. "This order is based on an unfounded determination that Starlink should be responsible for the fines levied — unconstitutionally —against X," Starlink <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/Starlink/status/1829253626839380424">said</a> in a post on X, adding that it planned to take legal action. Musk <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1829307275309093121">noted</a> in a post on X that SpaceX and X are separate companies with different shareholders and the move "improperly punishes other shareholders and the people of Brazil." <h2>Starlink agrees to enforce the X ban</h2>After initially refusing to block X until its accounts were frozen, Starlink <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/Starlink/status/1831053118265843722">changed</a> course on Tuesday and said it would comply with the order to block X access in the country. "Regardless of the illegal treatment of Starlink in freezing of our assets, we are complying with the order to block access to X in Brazil," Starlink <a target="_blank" class="" href="https://x.com/Starlink/status/1831053118265843722">said</a> in a post on X. But Starlink vowed to "pursue all legal avenues" to fight the order. Starlink's parent company SpaceX did not respond to a request for comment from BI. Correction: September 20, 2024 — This story has been updated with new information about the fine levied against X in Brazil. It also corrected the last name of the judge. His last name is de Moraes, not Moreas.

How Elon Musk and X got into a messy situation in one of its biggest markets

Stuck over necessary permission required to offer its services in India, Elon Musk's <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/spacex-is-refunding-starlink-preorders-in-india-after-the-government-ordered-it-to-stop-selling-the-internet-service-without-a-license/articleshow/88712439.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Starlink</a>, the satellite internet division of <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/spacex-has-an-ambitious-target-of-52-missions-in-2022/articleshow/89171460.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">SpaceX</a>, has been granted the right to operate in Brazil. Brazil's National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) allowed <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/elon-musks-tesla-lost-109-bn-in-single-day-amid-weak-outlook-for-2022/articleshow/89237952.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Musk </a>to enter the country, saying that the consumers will be able to get access to the satellite-based broadband through companies buying capacity from the satellite network, or if existing sector players obtain an authorisation to operate. "It is in the company's interest to provide internet access to customers throughout the Brazilian territory, which will certainly be very opportune for schools, hospitals and other establishments located in rural and remote areas", said Emmanoel Campelo, Anatel's interim President. In India, the government had told <keyword id="7612156" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="starlink" source="Orion">Starlink</keyword> to stop "booking/rendering the satellite internet service" in the country without a licence. Sanjay Bhargava, India Director for Starlink, stepped down earlier last month amid the government pressure. The Elon Musk-owned company also informed some individuals in the country that it will refund their pre-orders. According to Musk, there are now 1,469 Starlink satellites active, with 272 "moving to operational orbits currently". A recent report said that the satellite internet division of SpaceX now has more than 1,45,000 users across 25 countries globally. Until November 2021, SpaceX had added roughly 11,000 users per month since beginning service in October 2020. Musk at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) conference last year said Starlink should have roughly 500,000 users within the next 12 months. He said Starlink is already running in 12 countries and expanding.

Musk's Starlink gets approval to operate in Brazil as it waits for licence in India

SpaceX satellite internet service <keyword id="7612156" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="starlink" source="Orion">Starlink</keyword> on Friday announced it is available in 32 countries, up from 25 countries reported earlier this year. Billionaire <keyword id="6355315" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="elon-musk" source="Orion">Elon Musk</keyword>'s Starlink provides high-speed, low-latency broadband internet across the globe. It has more than 2,50,000 users globally. The company on Twitter shared an availability map revealing where its services are "available" across Europe and North America, as well as parts of South America, Australia, and New Zealand. It also announced that it'll "immediately" ship their service to these areas. "Starlink is now available in 32 countries around the world. People ordering from areas marked 'available' will have their Starlink shipped immediately," the company said in a tweet. In June last year, <keyword id="364027" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="musk" source="Orion">Musk</keyword> claimed that Starlink would span the globe, including India, within months. But its plans to set up space in the country was dented. Starlink registered its business in India via a local unit, Starlink Satellite Communications and targeted an April rollout. But the Department of Telecommunications under the Ministry of Communications in December warned Starlink to get necessary permission required to offer satellite-based Internet services in India. The government told Starlink to stop "booking/rendering the satellite internet service" in India without a licence. Starlink later announced that it will apply for a commercial licence in India by January 31, which it is yet to. According to Cloudflare and self-reported statistics on Reddit, nearly 80 per cent of Starlink users to date are located in North America, with another 18 per cent in Australia, New Zealand, and Europe. Just 2 per cent of its users live outside the west, Rest of the World reported. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/elon-musk-puts-44-billion-twitter-deal-on-hold-over-fake-accounts/articleshow/91540983.cms">Elon Musk puts $44 billion Twitter deal on hold over fake accounts</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/elon-musks-starlink-faces-its-first-setback-in-india-even-before-launch/articleshow/88702976.cms">Elon Musk’s Starlink faces its first setback in India even before launch</a>

Elon Musk's Starlink now offers services in 32 countries

<keyword id="264359" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sanjay-bhargava" source="Orion">Sanjay Bhargava</keyword>, who has quit as India Director for Elon Musk-run satellite internet company <keyword id="7612156" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="starlink" source="Orion">Starlink</keyword>, on Wednesday revealed that he now plans to write a white paper on how to ensure countrywide broadband access by 2023 and end poverty by 2030. After announcing a dramatic exit as the India head of Starlink operations late on Tuesday, Bhargava posted on LinkedIn that he has always tried to give back to India by blaming no one and inspiring everyone over the last 17 years. "As I retire, I am thinking of writing a short whitepaper on 'Good Broadband Pan India by Dec 2023 &amp; Ending Poverty by 2030'. Is this possible?" he wrote. "My concern is that even though my intentions are good my words will be twisted, and all kinds of motives will be ascribed even though my only motive is to provoke thinking to achieve the METRO's (Measurable Timebound Real Outcomes) outlined in the title," Bhargava added. "My tentative deadline to publish (the white paper) is January 15, 2022," he said. His resignation came after the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under the Ministry of Communications in December warned Starlink to get necessary permission required to offer satellite-based Internet services in India. Starlink shipped 100,000 terminals to customers recently. The project aims to provide global broadband connectivity via a constellation of satellites. SpaceX began satellite launches in November 2019 and opened its $99 per month beta programme for select customers around a year later. Earlier, Starlink had announced that it will focus on 10 rural Lok Sabha constituencies to provide the Internet services. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/airtel-and-hughes-form-joint-venture-will-offer-satellite-broadband-service-in-india/articleshow/88705316.cms">Airtel and Hughes form joint venture, will offer satellite broadband service in India</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/elon-musks-starlink-faces-its-first-setback-in-india-even-before-launch/articleshow/88702976.cms">Elon Musk’s Starlink faces its first setback in India even before launch</a>

Starlink's former head Sanjay Bhargava to work on white paper for nationwide broadband access

Elon Musk-owned satellite company <keyword id="7612156" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="starlink" source="Orion">Starlink</keyword> has registered its business in India and it is in process to apply for licenses in the country, according to Sanjay Bhargava, India director for Starlink. The company's affordable satellite broadband services are being targeted in India in 2022, although its availability is subject to regulatory approvals. "Pleased to share that SpaceX now has a 100 per cent owned subsidiary in India. The name is SSCPL -- Starlink Satellite Communications Private Limited and the incorporation date is November 1, 2021. We can now start applying for licenses, open bank accounts etc," Bhargava said in a LinkedIn post. Earlier this month, Starlink announced that it will focus on 10 rural Lok Sabha constituencies to provide internet services. "I am also keen to have 30-minute virtual conversations with MPs, Ministers, Secretaries to GOI, or Principal Secretaries to states to see if they think 100 per cent broadband would help improve lives," Bhargava had said. "We will probably focus on 10 rural Lok Sabha constituencies for 80 per cent of the Starlink terminals shipped to India. The number of preorders from rural constituencies will be one factor that helps us select focus constituencies," he added. Starlink shipped 100,000 terminals to customers recently. The project aims to provide global broadband connectivity via a constellation of satellites. SpaceX began satellite launches in November 2019 and opened its $99 per month beta programme for select customers around a year later. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/elon-musk-is-ready-to-spend-6-billion-to-end-world-hunger-asks-un-to-provide-a-plan/articleshow/87455987.cms">Elon Musk is ready to spend $6 billion to end world hunger, asks UN to provide a plan</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/elon-musk-is-now-3-times-richer-than-warren-buffet-and-worth-more-than-the-entire-gdp-of-his-home-country-of-south-africa/articleshow/87478089.cms">Elon Musk is now 3 times richer than Warren Buffet, and worth more than the entire GDP of his home country of South Africa</a>

Elon Musk-owned Starlink forms subsidiary in India, will soon apply for licenses

PayPal veteran <keyword id="264359" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="sanjay-bhargava" source="Orion">Sanjay Bhargava</keyword> has announced that he is all set to serve tech billionaire <keyword id="6355315" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="elon-musk" source="Orion">Elon Musk</keyword>'s <keyword id="6360701" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="SpaceX" source="Orion">SpaceX</keyword> as <keyword id="7612156" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="starlink" source="Orion">Starlink</keyword> Country Director India starting October 1. On Wednesday, Bhargava mentioned in a LinkedIn post that he is excited about the new role. "Super excited to join SpaceX effective Oct 1, 2021, as Starlink Country Director India. Had worked with @elonmusk on the PayPal founding team," Bhargava wrote. "Have been in India since 2004 and Starlink and I share a common passion for supporting a transformed India starting with Rural India," he added. Before this, Bhargava was the chairman of his co-founded investment advisory firm Bharosa Club. Bhargava holds a B.Tech degree in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay and masters from the Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad. Meanwhile, recently, Musk stated on Twitter that his aerospace company SpaceX could soon launch satellite-based Internet service Starlink in India. Musk replied to a Twitter post that the company is figuring out how the regulatory approval process in the country would work for Starlink. "Just figuring out the regulatory approval process," he wrote. Starlink shipped 1,00,000 terminals to customers recently. The project aims to provide global broadband connectivity via a constellation of satellites. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/scientists-piggybacking-on-starlink-satellites-to-break-free-from-gps-dependence/articleshow/86607657.cms">Scientists are piggybacking on internet satellites to break free from GPS dependence</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/elon-musks-starlink-satellite-internet-is-coming-to-india-heres-how-you-can-pre-book-your-connection/articleshow/81268052.cms">Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet is coming to India – here's how you can pre-book your connection</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/elon-musk-announced-that-starlinks-satellite-internet-service-will-come-out-of-its-beta-testing-phase-next-month/articleshow/86295211.cms">Elon Musk announced that Starlink's satellite-internet service will come out of its beta-testing phase next month</a>

Elon Musk's SpaceX loops in Sanjay Bhargava to lead Starlink's efforts in India

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Elon Musk said he hopes to bring SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service to India.</li><li>He's coming up against Asia's richest person Mukesh Ambani, who runs telecom giant Reliance Jio.</li></ul>Elon Musk is eyeing the massive Indian market, saying he hopes to bring SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service into the country after meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi earlier this week.Musk <a href="https://www.aninews.in/news/world/us/i-am-a-fan-elon-musk-after-meeting-pm-modi-planning-to-visit-india-next-year20230621055642/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told reporters on Tuesday</a> he was keen to launch Starlink in India as the service "can be incredibly helpful" in remote villages, per India's ANI agency.But Musk, who is the CEO of SpaceX, is coming up against strong competition in the form of billionaire Mukesh Ambani.Ambani is the chairman and managing director of conglomerate Reliance Industries. He's Asia's richest person, with a net worth of nearly $88 billion, according to the <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/billionaires/profiles/mukesh-d-ambani/#xj4y7vzkg" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bloomberg Billionaires Index.</a> Ambani's Reliance owns telecommunications giant Reliance Jio, the leading telecom provider in India with 439 million users, per <a href="https://www.reuters.com/technology/battle-billionaires-musks-starlink-eyes-india-ambani-resists-2023-06-22/">Reuters</a>.<h2>Reliance Jio vs. Starlink</h2>The two companies have different stances on how the Indian government's satellite broadband spectrum should be distributed, <a href="https://www.reuters.com/technology/battle-billionaires-musks-starlink-eyes-india-ambani-resists-2023-06-22/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reuters reported.</a>Musk's Starlink is lobbying the Indian government to assign licenses for satellite service in line with the global practice, arguing it's a natural resource to be distributed among companies, according to Reuters. Ambani's Reliance Jio is taking the opposite stance and calling for a public auction to ensure a level playing field for both foreign and domestic players in the traditional telecom space.Reliance will continue lobbying the Indian government for an auction, Reuters reported, citing an industry source with direct knowledge of the matter.SpaceX and Reliance did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Insider.Musk's companies have already had several false starts in India. SpaceX started taking bookings for Starlink's service in India in 2021, but was told by authorities to apply for a license first. His electric vehicle company Tesla has also been eyeing the market for years but held back on selling its cars in India due to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-tesla-working-through-challenges-with-india-import-tax-2022-1">high import taxes.</a> But Tesla is not giving up."I am confident that Tesla will be in India and will do so as soon as humanly possible," <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/renewables/tesla-may-soon-set-up-manufacturing-base-in-india-ceo-elon-musk/articleshow/101170774.cms" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Musk told reporters on Tuesday.</a><h2>India's market-access barriers are another complication</h2>Earlier this year, India <a href="https://www.un.org/development/desa/dpad/publication/un-desa-policy-brief-no-153-india-overtakes-china-as-the-worlds-most-populous-country/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow">overtook China as the world's most populous country.</a> India has also been trying to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-india-supply-chain-covid-sanctions-manufacturers-relocating-tariffs-options-2022-12" rel="">unseat China as the factory of the world.</a>But India has a history of <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/business-47857583" target="_blank" rel="noopener">trade protectionism</a> that makes it difficult to do business in the country, although Modi — who first came into power in 2014 — pledged <a href="https://m.economictimes.com/news/economy/policy/big-bang-move-modi-government-announces-fdi-reforms-in-15-sectors/articleshow/49735873.cms" target="_blank" rel="noopener">economic reforms,</a> including easing foreign direct investment policies.Still, India is the world's largest democracy, so <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/china-india-supply-chain-covid-sanctions-manufacturers-relocating-tariffs-options-2022-12">decision-making can be complicated.</a>Also complicating the situation is the <a href="https://www.investindia.gov.in/atmanirbhar-bharat-abhiyaan" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indian government's campaign to promote self-reliance</a>, which was kickstarted in May 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic."US exporters are being pressured to start manufacturing their products locally to retain market access, particularly if similar goods are not already produced in India," the <a href="https://www.trade.gov/knowledge-product/exporting-india-market-overview" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US International Trade Administration, or ITA,</a> said in a market overview of India. "As part of its self-reliance movement, India has introduced market access barriers in the form of tariffs, localization requirements, indigenous standards requirements, and labeling practices, price controls, and import restrictions."Even so, India is a massive market with lots of opportunities — although it requires planning for a much longer timeline and adopting strategies for different states, the ITA added, citing US companies already operating in the country.

Elon Musk wants to bring Starlink to the Indian market — but he'll have to get around India's richest tycoon first

The low Earth orbit (<keyword id="91911" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="leo" source="Orion">LEO</keyword>) satellite communications company <keyword id="2686914" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="oneweb" source="Orion">OneWeb</keyword> on Thursday announced a six-year agreement with <keyword id="340671" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="hughes" source="Orion">Hughes</keyword> Network Systems to provide LEO connectivity services across India. Hughes is an innovator in satellite and multi-transport technologies and networks and part of Hughes Communications India (HCIPL), a joint venture between Hughes and <keyword id="6354287" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bharti-airtel" source="Orion">Bharti Airtel</keyword>. As part of the agreement, OneWeb will connect towns, villages, and local and regional municipalities in hardest-to-reach areas, playing a critical role in bridging the digital divide. OneWeb will also invest in setting up enabling infrastructure such as Gateways and point of presence in India to light up the services, the company said in a statement. "This announcement marks a turning point for <keyword id="1929810" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="digital-india" source="Orion">Digital India</keyword>. Enterprise and government customers, including telecom service providers, banks, factories, schools, defense organisations, domestic airlines, and offshore vessel operators, are eagerly anticipating the arrival of new high performing satcom services," Partho Banerjee, president and managing director, HCIPL, said in the statement. Service offerings under this agreement are subject to all appropriate regulatory approvals and licenses, the companies said. "OneWeb's constellation will cover the length and breadth of India, from Ladakh to Kanyakumari and from Gujarat to the Northeast and bring secure solutions to enterprises, governments, telcos, airline companies and maritime customers," said Neil Masterson, CEO, OneWeb. OneWeb's most recent satellite launch on 27 December 2021 brought its total in-orbit satellites to 394, over 60 per cent of the planned 648 LEO satellite fleet. It plans to commence global service by the end of 2022 as demand continues from telecommunications providers, aviation and maritime markets, ISPs, and governments worldwide for its low-latency, high-speed connectivity services. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/airtel-and-hughes-form-joint-venture-will-offer-satellite-broadband-service-in-india/articleshow/88705316.cms">Airtel and Hughes form joint venture, will offer satellite broadband service in India</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/government-owning-vodafone-idea-is-just-half-the-task-the-other-half-is-to-find-the-money/articleshow/88836355.cms">Government owning Vodafone Idea is just half the task – the other half is to find the money</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/elon-musks-starlink-faces-its-first-setback-in-india-even-before-launch/articleshow/88702976.cms">Elon Musk’s Starlink faces its first setback in India even before launch</a>

Airtel's OneWeb and Hughes team up to bring satellite internet connectivity to India

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Vladimir Putin raved about Elon Musk at an event on Tuesday, calling him an "outstanding person."</li><li>Musk denied a Ukrainian request for Starlink access in Crimea, thwarting a drone attack on Russia.</li></ul>Vladimir Putin was full of praise for Elon Musk on Tuesday, just days after the billionaire admitted to thwarting a Ukrainian attack on Russia. Putin was speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok, Russia when he was asked about how successful Musk's company SpaceX had been at launching rockets, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/putin-hails-elon-musk-an-outstanding-person-businessman-2023-09-12/">Reuters reported</a>. "As far as private business and Elon Musk is concerned, he is undoubtedly an outstanding person," Putin said, per the Reuters translation. "This must be recognized, and I think it is recognized all over the world."Putin added: "He is an active and talented businessman and he is succeeding a lot, including with the support of the American state."According to Walter Isaacson's <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-admits-thwarting-ukraine-attack-not-activating-starlink-satellites-2023-9?r=US&amp;IR=T">new biography of Musk,</a> the SpaceX CEO refused to switch on his Starlink satellites to aid a Ukrainian drone attack on Russian warships in Sevastopol in occupied Crimea."If I had agreed to their request, then SpaceX would be explicitly complicit in a major act of war and conflict escalation," <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1699917639043404146?s=20">Musk tweeted</a> on September 7.Putin said Musk's ventures were supported by from the US government, according to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2023/09/12/russias-vladimir-putin-praises-elon-musk-as-an-outstanding-person.html">CNBC</a>. In September 2022 NASA said it had awarded SpaceX a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-spacex-wins-nasa-contract-five-astronaut-launches-missions-2022-9">$1.4 billion contract</a> for five more astronaut missions to the International Space Station.Russia's first attempt at a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-luna-25-crash-land-on-moon-2023-8?inline-endstory-related-recommendations=&amp;r=US&amp;IR=T">moon landing</a> in almost half a century ended in disaster when its spacecraft spun out of control and crashed in August. The failure was an embarrassment for the country as it was competing with India to become the first country to land a spacecraft on the moon's south pole. Putin said Moscow would continue with its space program despite the moon landing failure, per Reuters.

Vladimir Putin called Elon Musk 'outstanding' and 'talented' just days after he admitted denying Ukraine's Starlink request in Crimea

<ul><li>The <keyword id="10016358" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="starlink-internet">Starlink internet</keyword> service is currently available for pre-booking in India. </li><li>But even before it can launch its services in the country, the company is under scrutiny from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT). </li><li>The news of DoT scrutiny comes soon after industry lobby group Broadband India Forum (BIF) opposed <keyword id="7612156" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="starlink">Starlink</keyword>’s India launch. </li><li>BIF represents industry giants like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook and Bharti Airtel-UK government-owned OneWeb. </li></ul>Elon Musk’s Starlink internet service could be coming to India, but even before it establishes connectivity within the country, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has put it under scrutiny, a new report suggests. According to The <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/telecom/telecom-news/dot-begins-scrutiny-of-elon-musks-starlink-internet-offer/articleshow/82042321.cms">Economic Times</a>, the telecom department is scrutinising whether the Starlink satellite internet service violates the country’s telecommunications and regulatory laws. Specifically, the department is evaluating whether Starlink violates the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000, the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933, and the Satellite Communication (SatCom) Policy of India, 2000. Apart from telecom regulations, the other aspects that are under the DoT’s scrutiny include consumer interest and national security. Is Starlink under scrutiny because of opposition from Google, OneWeb and others? Interestingly, the telecom department’s reported intervention in Starlink’s India plans comes close on the heels of <a href="https://www.timesnownews.com/business-economy/companies/article/elon-musk-s-starlink-internet-service-faces-its-first-challenge-in-india-foray/739771">opposition</a> by Broadband India Forum’s (BIF) opposition. BIF represents Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook, and OneWeb. BIF alleged that the Starlink internet service does not comply with India’s regulatory framework. The group petitioned the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to intervene and prevent Starlink from launching its services in India. OneWeb, co-owned by Bharti Global and the UK government, is a direct competitor to Starlink. OneWeb is a London based company and has plans to launch 648 satellites, in comparison to Starlink which currently has 1,200 satellites in orbit. Earlier this week, OneWeb and Starlink’s satellites <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/news/spacex-and-oneweb-satellites-nearly-crashed-into-each-other-in-orbit-according-to-reports/articleshow/82006681.cms">nearly crashed into each other</a> in orbit, according to reports. Starlink internet offer in India – price and availability Starlink has started accepting pre-bookings for Indian addresses. The price has been set at $99 (approx. ₹7,300) towards deposit for the service. This payment is towards the Starlink equipment that will have to be installed at your address to access the internet service. Once you make the payment, your priority access gets reserved in your location. This deposit is fully refundable, so even if you change your mind after paying, you can still get your money back. Starlink accepts payments via debit and credit cards, as well as Apple Pay. However, Apply Pay is currently not available in India. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/elon-musks-starlink-satellite-internet-is-coming-to-india-heres-how-you-can-pre-book-your-connection/articleshow/81268052.cms">Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet is coming to India – here's how you can pre-book your connection</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/news/spacex-and-oneweb-satellites-nearly-crashed-into-each-other-in-orbit-according-to-reports/articleshow/82006681.cms">SpaceX and OneWeb satellites nearly crashed into each other in orbit, according to reports</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/spacex-is-dominating-orbit-with-its-starlink-satellites-making-the-risk-of-space-traffic-collision-a-serious-hazard-industry-experts-say/articleshow/81734345.cms">SpaceX is dominating orbit with its Starlink satellites, making the risk of space traffic collision a serious hazard, industry experts say</a>

You Searched For "starlink india" and got 12 results

In a win for Elon Musk, Scindia says no to spectrum auction pitch from Ambani, Mittal

PTI

Satellite 'magic bullet' to connect the unconnected; offers opportunity to cover areas left out: Sunil Mittal

PTI

How Elon Musk and X got into a messy situation in one of its biggest markets

Ana Altchek

Musk's Starlink gets approval to operate in Brazil as it waits for licence in India

IANS

Elon Musk's Starlink now offers services in 32 countries

IANS

Starlink's former head Sanjay Bhargava to work on white paper for nationwide broadband access

IANS

Elon Musk-owned Starlink forms subsidiary in India, will soon apply for licenses

IANS

Elon Musk's SpaceX loops in Sanjay Bhargava to lead Starlink's efforts in India

IANS

Elon Musk wants to bring Starlink to the Indian market — but he'll have to get around India's richest tycoon first

Huileng Tan

Airtel's OneWeb and Hughes team up to bring satellite internet connectivity to India

IANS

Vladimir Putin called Elon Musk 'outstanding' and 'talented' just days after he admitted denying Ukraine's Starlink request in Crimea

Sawdah Bhaimiya

Elon Musk-owned internet service Starlink’s India entry under scrutiny of DoT, report suggests

Rounak Jain

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