Elon Musk intensified his public campaign to bring Starlink to India, arguing the satellite internet service must remain affordable to compete in a market where data costs are among the world’s lowest. In a post on X, the SpaceX CEO said Starlink’s success depends on whether Indian consumers perceive the service as worth the cost.
“Obviously, if Starlink is too expensive in India, no one will buy it, so SpaceX will need to make pricing affordable,” Musk stated. The comments arrive as Starlink awaits final security clearance to begin operations, alongside rival satellite services including Jio’s own venture.
Musk argued competition would benefit consumers by providing more choices, especially in regions where traditional internet infrastructure remains limited. He added that greater competition could reduce Ambani’s profits without threatening Jio’s core business.
Beyond competing with Jio, Musk positioned Starlink as a solution for underserved populations. In another post on X, he highlighted rural and remote areas where limited internet access restricts educational opportunities and prevents small businesses from reaching global markets.
“There are many areas of India, as there are in all countries, with no Internet access, which denies children the opportunity for education and for small businesses the opportunity to sell their goods to a global market,” he said. Musk also emphasized Starlink’s proven role during natural disasters when conventional communications infrastructure fails.
This development comes as Jio Platforms prepares its initial public offering, targeting a valuation of roughly $106 billion, according to a Reuters report, while both its satellite business and Starlink remain in the queue for final security clearance. The Indian government has denied favoring Jio, stating all three satellite providers await the same final approval.
Retail sentiment on Stocktwits around SpaceX trended bullish at the time of writing, with SPCX stock up 8% year-to-date.
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