SUNIL MITTAL CHALLENGES ELON MUSK AS BHARTI PREPARES FOR SATELLITE BROADBAND LAUNCH
NEW DELHI: Bharti Enterprises Chairman Sunil Mittal has strongly countered Elon Musk regarding India’s satellite spectrum allocation rules, asserting that his firm holds a decisive head start and stands fully prepared to launch services.
The high-stakes dispute escalates a fierce corporate rivalry for dominance over India’s lucrative digital connectivity market. Both billionaire-backed entities are racing to deliver high-speed satellite broadband to millions of unconnected rural consumers.
Mittal stated that Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb already holds all necessary government licenses and approvals. This regulatory advantage places the traditional telecom giant significantly ahead of Starlink.
Musk had previously argued that spectrum should be assigned directly without auctions. Mittal firmly rejected this view during a recent industry address. He emphasized that satellite players must secure proper licensing and pay administrative fees just like mobile operators.
Bharti’s proactive stance highlights its commitment to fair market competition. The company possesses robust local infrastructure and deep regulatory expertise. These strengths allow the enterprise to navigate India’s complex legal landscape smoothly.
Meanwhile, Starlink continues awaiting final security clearances from New Delhi. Regulatory delays threaten to stall the American firm’s ambitious commercial rollout plans across South Asia.
Industry analysts expect the Indian government to finalize its spectrum policy framework soon. The upcoming regulatory decision will reshape the nation’s rapidly expanding telecommunications sector.
Source – Mint
