08 October,2026 02:35 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Sunil Mittal says Eutelsat OneWeb is also awaiting approvals. Representational Image. File pic.
Bharti Airtel Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal on Thursday refuted Elon Musk's allegations that Starlink was being blocked in India by "certain oligarchs" by stating that his own satellite communication company Eutelsat OneWeb is also awaiting approvals to start operations, according to news agency PTI.
Mittal while responding to a specific question on Musk's allegations said, "We are waiting for our own approvals."
However, Jio Platforms Managing Director Akash Ambani, who was also at the India Mobile Congress, refused to comment on the issue.
SpaceX founder and CEO Musk, without mentioning any company, had alleged that "certain oligarchs" have blocked Starlink in India to maintain their monopoly.
"Unfortunately, we are being blocked by certain oligarchs in order to maintain their monopolistic chokehold on the Indian people.
"You can guess who they are... This is a crime against the people of India!" Musk had posted on his social media platform X on Wednesday.
The Centre has granted licences to the three satellite communications companies for starting operations in the country, which includes Musk-led Starlink Satellite Communications, Jio Satellite Communications and Eutelsat OneWeb.
However, all the companies need spectrum and security clearance before starting the service, according to PTI.
Bharti Group's Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite Communications were the first two entities to have received licenses for services. However, they are yet to get spectrum and security clearance to launch their services.
The government on Thursday hit back at Musk's claims calling the claim "baseless and misconceived" and asserted that the country's regulatory framework for satellite communication services is fair and non-discriminatory.
"The government has put in place a fair and non-discriminatory authorisation framework for all telecommunication services, including satellite communication services," the Ministry of Communications said in a statement.
The ministry said all telecom operators providing satellite communication services are required to meet the same licensing and security conditions before they can proceed to the spectrum assignment stage.
"This is aimed at ensuring that services provided meet various security requirements to ensure safety of all users and their data. Security assessment as part of this process is currently under way in respect of all three licensees," it said.
According to the ministry, a licensed entity can proceed to seek spectrum assignment after completing the required security assessment.
"At present, all three entities are broadly at the same regulatory stage. As such, the suggestion that the framework or its application is unfair or discriminatory is baseless and misconceived," the statement said.
(With inputs from PTI)
