A brewing conflict between Elon Musk and Mukesh Ambani has surfaced over how India should allocate satellite broadband spectrum, with both industry giants presenting starkly different views.
Musk, CEO of Starlink, has openly criticized the idea of auctioning the satellite spectrum, calling it an “unprecedented” move that contradicts international standards. Using X (formerly Twitter), Musk pointed out that the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) classifies this spectrum as shared for satellites, advocating for a “rational, efficient, and economical” allocation process.
In contrast, Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries is reportedly pushing for an auction-based system, arguing that it would ensure fairness and competition, particularly as international players like Starlink enter the Indian market.
Starlink, along with Amazon’s Project Kuiper and other global satellite providers, supports administrative allocation, where the spectrum is distributed without auctions. They argue that this approach aligns with global best practices and would accelerate the growth of satellite broadband in India.
Meanwhile, Reliance has allegedly submitted a letter to India’s Telecom Regulatory Authority (Trai), challenging its preference for administrative allocation and emphasizing the need for auctions to create a level playing field.
With satellite broadband projected to be a $1.9 billion market in India by 2030, Trai’s ongoing public consultations will play a crucial role in shaping the future of internet connectivity in the country.