A developing dispute between Elon Musk and Mukesh Ambani has emerged regarding the allocation of satellite broadband spectrum in India.
Musk, the CEO of Starlink, has expressed his opposition to auctioning the spectrum, labeling it an “unprecedented” move that goes against international norms. He took to X, the social media platform he owns, to argue that the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) designates this spectrum for shared satellite use. Musk emphasized that allocation should be done “rationally, efficiently, and economically.”
His position stands in contrast to that of Reliance Industries, led by Ambani, which is reportedly advocating for an auction-based allocation system.
Starlink, along with other global players like Amazon’s Project Kuiper, supports administrative allocation, which assigns the spectrum without an auction. They argue that this approach aligns with global best practices and would accelerate the growth of satellite broadband in India.
In contrast, Reliance has reportedly sent a private letter to India’s Telecom Regulatory Authority (Trai), challenging its preference for administrative allocation. Reliance argues that an auction would create a level playing field, especially with international companies like Starlink entering the market.
As Trai continues public consultations, this debate underscores the increasing significance of satellite broadband in India, a market projected to reach $1.9 billion by 2030.
