Musk plans affordable Starlink push in India against Jio

Elon Musk has said SpaceX will need to make Starlink's internet service affordable in India if it wants to compete with Reliance Jio. The billionaire made the remark amid an ongoing debate over whether Starlink can compete with the low-cost internet services offered by Mukesh Ambani's telecom company.Responding to a post on X, Musk said arguments that Starlink cannot compete with Jio because of its low prices contradict claims that the satellite internet service could become a strong competitor. He added that competition would give Indian consumers more choices."If Starlink is too expensive in India, no one will buy it, so SpaceX will need to make pricing affordable," Musk wrote.Musk has not announced Starlink's India prices or confirmed when the service will launch in the country. However, his latest comments suggest that the company will have to consider local pricing if it wants to attract customers in a market where mobile data is relatively inexpensive. Elon Musk on making Starlink affordable in India. Why Musk is talking about internet prices in IndiaMusk was responding to a post by Aaron Burnett, founder of Mach33 Financial Group, who argued that India's reputation for cheap internet is largely based on mobile data rather than fixed broadband.Burnett said Indian mobile users consume around 30GB to 40GB of data per month, while home fibre connections can see usage of around 300GB. He argued that affordable alternatives to traditional broadband could encourage more households to adopt fixed internet connections. Satellite internet could offer another option, particularly in remote areas where laying fibre cables or building mobile towers is difficult. Starlink uses a network of low Earth orbit satellites to provide internet connectivity.However, its ability to attract a larger number of Indian customers will depend partly on how its pricing compares with existing internet services.Jio is also planning satellite internet servicesMusk's comments come as Reliance Jio prepares to expand its connectivity business into space. At the India Mobile Congress 2026, the company showcased a proposed network of around 1,600 low Earth orbit satellites and 23 ground stations across India.Jio aims to extend connectivity to more than 600,000 villages, including remote islands and border areas where traditional networks are difficult to deploy. The company also plans to combine satellite connectivity with its existing mobile and fibre networks.The satellite network and ground stations are still part of a proposed plan. Meanwhile, Starlink and Jio are among the satellite internet ventures awaiting final security clearance from the Indian government.Musk's dispute with Ambani continuesMusk's latest statement follows several posts in which he has criticised arguments against Starlink's entry into India. In a recent post, he sarcastically addressed Ambani as "Prime Minister Ambani" and asked him to allow Starlink to compete in the country.Musk has argued that Starlink could help people in areas without reliable internet access, including children who need educational resources and small businesses looking to reach more customers. The Indian government has denied allegations of favouring Jio in the approval process. Reliance has not responded to Musk's latest remarks.- Ends