India Allocates Satellite Broadband Spectrum to Starlink, Rejects Auction Proposal from Ambani and Mittal

Nov 8, 2024, 06:44 AM

India's Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia announced that the spectrum for satellite broadband will be allocated directly, rather than auctioned, a decision that favors Elon Musk's Starlink over local telecom giants Reliance Jio and Airtel, led by Mukesh Ambani and Sunil Mittal. This move aligns with guidelines from the International Telecommunications Union and has been positioned as a significant win for Starlink amidst ongoing discussions about satellite spectrum pricing. Scindia's remarks were characterized as 'promising' by Musk, who emphasized the importance of transparency in pricing for satellite internet services. The government has rejected calls from Ambani and Mittal for an auction, which they argued would foster competitive pricing in the sector. Starlink has also defended itself against allegations of predatory pricing from competitors, asserting that such claims are unfounded.