Elon Musk and Mukesh Ambani Clash Over Satellite Broadband Spectrum

A growing dispute between Elon Musk and Mukesh Ambani has emerged regarding the allocation of satellite broadband spectrum in India.

Elon Musk, CEO of Starlink, has expressed strong opposition to the proposed auctioning of the spectrum, labeling it as an “unprecedented” approach that goes against international standards. Musk took to X, the social media platform he owns, to argue that the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) classifies this spectrum as shared for satellites, emphasizing the need for allocation to be conducted “rationally, efficiently, and economically.”

This perspective stands in stark contrast to that of Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Industries, which has reportedly been advocating for an auction-based allocation method.

Starlink, along with other global players such as Amazon’s Project Kuiper, supports an administrative allocation approach, where the spectrum is assigned without auctioning. They argue that this method aligns with global best practices and would accelerate the development of satellite broadband in India.

In response, Reliance has allegedly sent a private letter to India’s Telecom Regulatory Authority (Trai), contesting its tendency towards administrative allocation. Reliance argues that an auction would create a level playing field, particularly with international companies like Starlink entering the Indian market.

As Trai conducts public consultations, this debate underscores the increasing significance of satellite broadband in India, a market expected to reach $1.9 billion by 2030.

Follow us on our social media platforms here: Twitter  WHATSAPP CHANNEL FACEBOOK PAGE