Elon Musk says Starlink will need affordable pricing to win customers in India, but he has not announced local prices.
His comments on X come ahead of Jio Platforms’ anticipated IPO. Moneycontrol reported that public subscription was expected from Oct. 21 to 23, subject to market conditions.
For businesses with remote offices or unreliable broadband, the potential benefit is another connectivity option. Whether it is affordable will depend on equipment and subscription costs, as well as service availability.
Both companies are looking to compete in the same satellite internet market in India.
“And, obviously, if Starlink is too expensive in India, no one will buy it, so SpaceX will need to make pricing affordable,” said Elon Musk in a widely viewed post on X.
In a separate post, Musk accused Mukesh Ambani of obstructing Starlink’s entry into India and asked him to allow competition. The allegation does not establish that Ambani controls the approval process.
India’s Ministry of Communications rejected suggestions of discriminatory treatment. In an Oct. 8 statement, it said three satellite operators already held telecom licenses and were undergoing security assessments before they could seek spectrum assignment.
Starlink expands into additional markets
On the same day while Elon was criticizing Ambani, Reuters reported that Venezuela’s interim President Delcy Rodriguez had authorized Starlink. This approval comes after Starlink provided free internet access to Venezuelans, following the June earthquake which damaged several telecommunications infrastructure in the affected regions.
Similarly, in Kenya and Uganda, the service was launched in July 2023 and September 2026, respectively.
These launches expand Starlink’s reach, but they do not establish that the service is affordable for lower-income households. The Uganda report notes that subscription and equipment costs could limit adoption.
Upcoming Jio Platforms IPO
Musk’s criticism comes as Jio Platforms prepares for its anticipated IPO. Reuters reported that Reliance had not responded to requests for comment on his remarks.
Asked about Musk’s comments and Jio’s satellite plans, Reliance Jio Chairman Akash Ambani emphasized the company’s focus on customers. He told Business Today that Jio was developing an indigenous satellite technology stack but did not provide a launch date for its first satellite fleet.
The IPO is expected to reach a valuation of between USD 106 billion, and has two major foreign backers: Google and Meta.
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The competitive landscape
Starlink’s entry into India would put two different internet delivery models in the same market. Reliance Jio built its position around low-cost mobile data delivered through terrestrial networks, while Starlink uses satellites to provide internet access. Jio is also developing an indigenous satellite network, but has not announced a launch date for its first fleet.
The relationship also includes cooperation. In March 2025, Jio Platforms announced an agreement with SpaceX to offer Starlink services in India, subject to the necessary authorizations, including plans to sell Starlink equipment through Jio’s retail and online channels.
Price is going to be a critical factor in determining how Starlink competes with Jio. India already has some of the world’s lowest mobile data prices, averaging about $0.08 per gigabyte, according to Reuters. Although Musk has pledged affordable pricing, he has not announced specific prices for the Indian market. The mobile data figure provides market context rather than a direct comparison with a satellite broadband package. Business buyers would need to compare equipment, installation and subscription costs with existing connections, alongside performance and support.
Given that both companies are also pursuing satellite internet services, this means Starlink will not be entering an uncontested market. Reuters reported that Starlink and Jio’s satellite venture were both awaiting final security clearance to launch.
For consumers and businesses, the potential benefit is greater choice, particularly where terrestrial connectivity is unreliable or unavailable. Businesses evaluating satellite broadband should consider whether it would serve as their main connection or a backup, then assess coverage, equipment requirements, support and total costs for each location.
Published Indian tariffs and confirmed commercial availability will determine whether Starlink becomes a practical option for those sites. Until then, Musk’s affordability pledge gives buyers a development to watch rather than a price they can budget around.
Read more: SpaceX’s proposal for a 100,000-satellite Gen3 network highlights how approvals, deployment and pricing shape the potential benefits of satellite connectivity for businesses.