Upgraded 7 October 2026 at 22:16 IST
Elon Musk declares Starlink’s India strategies are being obstructed by “specific oligarchs” and calls it a “criminal activity versus individuals of India.” Starlink states it has actually developed 20 entrance websites and India-specific security controls as it waits for staying approvals to release business services.
Hawthorne: Elon Musk the CEO of SpaceX the moms and dad business of Satellitte interaction significant Starlink has actually weighed in on the business’s prepare for India. In a highly worded reply to a post on X that in-depth factors for why India requires Starlink, Musk declared that the business was being obstructed by’ oligarchs ‘.
In a post on X, Musk stated, ” Unfortunately, we (Starlink) 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.”
The post remained in reply to another post by the X manage DogeDesigner which published, ” India needs Starlink. 11,256 of India’s listed villages still lacked 4G coverage as of May 2026. India had 1.093 billion internet subscriptions in March 2026, but only 440.87 million were rural. Rural subscription density was 48.31 per 100 people, compared with 126.80 in urban India… Only 4.26% of India’s internet subscriptions were wired connections in March 2026. Starlink could give underserved communities another route to high-speed broadband.”
According to the post Starlink’s satellite network might bring high-speed web to remote towns in India and this might assist reach more individuals, factor enough to total clearance to start business service.
“Starlink has already built 20 gateway sites in India, according to SpaceX Vice President of Starlink Business Operations Lauren Dreyer…Starlink says it has developed India-specific security controls designed to keep Indian user data within India. Its satellite network could bring high-speed internet to remote villages, mountains and islands where extending fibre or mobile networks is difficult. Better connectivity could help rural schools access online learning, clinics offer remote consultations and small businesses reach more customers. Starlink already supports education and healthcare in remote communities internationally,” the post read.
“Portable Starlink terminals have supported disaster response around the world. They could give Indian emergency teams backup connectivity when floods, earthquakes or storms damage ground networks. Direct to Cell could also help ordinary 4G phones connect beyond tower coverage, subject to Indian approvals and mobile operator partnerships. The government itself identifies difficult terrain, low commercial viability and infrastructure constraints as reasons for remaining coverage gaps. This is exactly where Starlink could help India reach more people. India should complete the remaining clearances and spectrum allocation so Starlink can begin commercial service,” the post included.
The post even more detailed that Starlink was dedicated to assist India understand PM Modi’s vision of 100 percent connection.
“SpaceX’s Vice President of Starlink Business Operations, Lauren Dreyer, said that Starlink is ready to help achieve Prime Minister Modi’s vision of 100% connectivity across India. She highlighted its potential to connect remote classrooms, support telemedicine and restore connectivity after disasters, adding, “With Starlink, people can get connected within minutes, not years.” India’s hardest-to-reach communities deserve reliable internet too,” the post read.
On October 7, Vice President, Starlink Business Operations Lauren Dreyer while speaking at India Mobile Congress 2026 stated the business had actually established India-specific security controls and has actually developed 20 entrance websites in India, including, the business is “keeping Indian users’ information within India.”
Dreyer stated Starlink has actually purchased constructing the facilities needed to serve the Indian market. The Indian federal government has actually approved licences to 3 satellite interaction business, consisting of Starlink, to use services in the nation.
“We’ve developed our Starlink operations particularly for India in acknowledgment of Indian security requirements and other policies, developing controls at every layer for India, and keeping Indian user information within India,” she stated.
The Starlink VP even more included that the business has actually currently bought and developed ground facilities in India, consisting of 20 entrance websites with numerous antennas, and developed operations to start serving the marketplace.
“We’ve already made the investment and built the existing ground infrastructure here, 20 gateway sites comprising hundreds of antennas, and we’ve established the operations to be ready to serve India,” Dreyer stated, highlighting, “What India has actually attained digitally is amazing.”
Dreyer stated Starlink has actually been working carefully with Indian regulators, market stakeholders and operators for the previous 5 years to adjust its operations to India’s requirements and prepare to serve the marketplace.
In June this year, Dreyer had actually refuted reports that declared India had actually frozen the approval procedure for Starlink over geopolitical and security issues. Dreyer stated that Starlink stays in active settlements with the Indian federal government to release its business satellite web services.