Centre Rejects Musk’s ‘Oligarch’ Claim over Starlink Block

The Ministry of Communications has unequivocally stated its position on the regulatory framework for satellite communication services. 

The Ministry said that India's policies in this sphere are fair and non-discriminatory. The statement from the Ministry follows a post by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, who had claimed that the India plans of his satellite communication company Starlink were being blocked by "certain oligarchs".

In a statement issued by the Press Information Bureau, the Ministry stated, "A post is being circulated in social media regarding the fairness of India's



regulatory framework for satellite communication services and suggesting that it is being applied in a discriminatory manner. 

"The Government has put in place a fair and non-discriminatory authorisation framework for all telecommunication services, including satellite communication services. 

Under this, telecom licences have been granted to three Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite services based on non-geosynchronous satellite orbit based satellite communications, as part of its commitment to enable provision of satellite communication services in India.