Connect with us

News

India rejects Elon Musk’s claim of discrimination over Starlink launch

info

Published

on

Starlink.jpg

India has rejected Elon Musk’s claim that Starlink, SpaceX’s satellite internet service, is being unfairly blocked from launching in the country. The pushback comes as SpaceX struggles to turn years of regulatory work and partnerships with India’s biggest telecom operators into a commercial launch in one of the world’s largest internet markets.

On Wednesday, Musk accused unnamed “oligarchs” of blocking Starlink’s launch in India to maintain what he called their “monopolistic chokehold” on the country, without identifying them or providing evidence for his claim. He called the alleged blocking a “crime against the people of India” and argued that Starlink could bring affordable, high-speed internet to people who lack internet access.

Hours later, India’s Ministry of Communications pushed back, saying its regulatory framework for satellite communications is “fair and non-discriminatory.” The ministry said in a statement that Starlink and two other licensed satellite operators are all at “broadly the same regulatory stage.” It added that all three companies are undergoing security assessments that must be completed before they can seek spectrum, the radio frequencies that satellites use to send signal.

Starlink has spent over five years trying to enter India, a market with more than a billion internet subscribers. But it has yet to begin commercial services despite securing key regulatory approvals and partnering with telecom giants Reliance Jio and Bharti Airtel last year. SpaceX has also set up a local team as it prepares for a launch, appointing former Payoneer executive Prabhakar Jayakumar to lead its India operations in December.

Musk’s comments came hours after Lauren Dreyer, Starlink’s vice president of business operations, appeared at a telecom industry conference, India Mobile Congress, in New Delhi and reiterated the company’s commitment to the market. “We stand ready to serve India,” Dreyer said, adding that Starlink wants to help realize Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s goal of achieving universal connectivity across the country.

Starlink said it already has more than 20 gateway sites (the ground stations that link its satellites to the internet) and hundreds of antennas on the ground in India, and has adapted its operations to meet the country’s regulatory, security, and data-sovereignty requirements. Moreover, SpaceX has positioned its satellite network as a complement to — rather than a replacement for — India’s terrestrial telecom networks.

SpaceX first attempted to launch Starlink in India in 2021. The company, however, had to refund preorders for its equipment in early 2022 after the Indian government called it out for “booking/rendering the satellite internet service” before getting the necessary licenses.

Starlink has also previously clashed with India’s largest telecom operators over how satellite spectrum should be allocated. Starlink pushed for spectrum to be assigned administratively, while Reliance Jio argued that it should be auctioned — a position that could have made Starlink’s entry more expensive. India ultimately sided with Starlink’s preferred approach, deciding to allocate satellite spectrum administratively rather than through an auction.

Jio and Airtel, the two biggest Indian telcos, are also pursuing their own satellite internet services, even as they have agreed to distribute Starlink in India. Jio is working with satellite operator SES on satellite broadband, while Airtel is a major backer of Eutelsat OneWeb, another licensed satellite operator in India.

While the timing of Starlink’s India launch remains unclear, the company this week launched Starlink Mobile, which connects ordinary phones to satellites, in neighboring Bangladesh this week.

Starlink, India’s Ministry of Communications, Reliance Jio, and Bharti Airtel did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

When you purchase through links in our articles, we may earn a small commission. This doesn’t affect our editorial independence.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Tinubu To Intensify Infrastructure Development Nationwide, Aides Say

info

Published

on

IMG 20261028 WA0008 1024x549.webp

The aides disclosed this at the State House, Abuja, while briefing journalists on their grassroots community engagement activities.

They also serve as zonal directors of the Presidential Campaign Council’s Infrastructure Mobilisation and Sensitisation Directorate.

They highlighted ongoing federal projects in roads, railways, electricity, education, healthcare and agriculture across the six geopolitical zones.

In the North-Central, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, Dr Abiodun Essiet, said over 167 kilometres of roads had been completed.

She added that more than 1,207 kilometres were under construction, including the Shendam Bridge, Lafia Bypass and Makurdi–Otukpo–9th Mile Road.

Essiet also cited the Abuja–Lokoja Highway, describing infrastructure development as central to addressing citizens’ needs.

“Some of the reality of what our people are facing is what we are communicating to Mr President,” she said.

She said regular community engagement helped the President understand prevailing economic and social challenges.

“I usually tell people, you think Mr President doesn’t know the price of eggs or bread in the market? He does,” she said.

Essiet added that regular briefings also kept the President and Federal Executive Council members informed about citizens’ concerns.

She cited the Mokwa–Bida Road in Niger, saying its last contract award was 46 years ago.

“The last time that road was given out on contract was 46 years ago. So tell me if that is not the wish of the people,” she said.

She also highlighted fertiliser distribution, tractors, rural markets, solar-powered electricity and educational assistance through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).

In the North-West, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, Abdullahi Tanko Yakassai, highlighted reconstruction of the Abuja–Kaduna–Zaria–Kano Highway.

He said the project was using concrete pavement technology, alongside other infrastructure and security interventions.

Yakassai also cited the Sokoto–Badagry Superhighway, Kaduna–Kano railway and approved monorail projects for Kaduna and Kano states.

He said the projects would improve transportation, facilitate agricultural trade and stimulate economic activities across the region.

In the South-West, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, Moremi Ojudu, highlighted infrastructure development and local government reforms.

She said greater financial autonomy for councils would strengthen grassroots development, support businesses and improve revenue generation.

In the South-East, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, Mrs Chioma Nweze, said about 1,000 kilometres of road projects were ongoing.

She cited the Enugu–Onitsha and Enugu–Port Harcourt highways, alongside interventions around the First and Second Niger bridges.

Nweze also highlighted the establishment of the South-East Development Commission and proposed expansion of household gas distribution.

She said the interventions would improve connectivity, address regional development concerns and promote industrial growth.

In the South-South, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, Gift Johnbull, identified the Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway as a major project.

She also cited the East–West Road reconstruction, Benin–Agbor Road interventions and Kaa–Ataba Bridge in Rivers.

Johnbull said improved connectivity would support agriculture, strengthen commerce and improve access to markets and essential services.

She added that the projects would create economic opportunities beyond the oil and gas sector.

In the North-East, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement, Abdulhameed Abba, highlighted federal interventions in roads, education, healthcare and water resources.

He particularly cited projects linking Akwanga, Jos, Gombe and Biu, saying they would improve connectivity and stimulate regional economic activities.

The presidential aides reaffirmed their support for Tinubu’s development agenda and urged Nigerians to back his re-election bid in 2027. (NAN)

Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo

Continue Reading

News

2027: APC releases supplementary list of presidential campaign council [FULL LIST]

info

Published

on

The All Progressives Congress, APC, has released a supplementary list of leadership and membership of the President Bola Tinubu/APC 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, PCC.

The ruling party disclosed this in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, on Wednesday.

The party said that the new list expands the composition of the Council ahead of the 2027 general election.

It added that the supplementary list contains additional appointments of leaders and members across various directorates, sectoral groups, mobilisation structures and operational units of the PCC.

"Our great Party reiterates its commitment to ensuring effective coordination among the various components of the PCC as preparations remain in top gear for the 2027 general election," the party said.

The release of the supplementary list comes as the party intensifies preparations for the 2027 polls.

See the full list below:

20261028 160120
20261028 160123
20261028 160129
20261028 160127

2027: APC releases supplementary list of presidential campaign council [FULL LIST]

Continue Reading

Trending