India Confirms No Satellite Spectrum Auction: Elon Musk Reacts

Aakhir Tak – In Shorts

1. India will not auction satellite spectrum, choosing administrative allocation instead.
2. Elon Musk appreciated this decision, pledging to expand Starlink services in India.
3. Indian telecom giants favored an auction, but the government followed global standards.

Aakhir Tak – In Depth

In a recent announcement, India confirmed that it will allocate satellite spectrum administratively, rather than through auctions. Elon Musk, CEO of Starlink, responded positively to this decision, calling it “much appreciated.” He took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his commitment to providing Starlink services in India.

Telecom Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia explained that India is following international practices, as most countries allocate satellite spectrum administratively. Musk and other global satellite players, including Amazon’s Project Kuiper, supported this approach. Musk argued that auctioning satellite spectrum would be an unprecedented move globally and could hinder the expansion of satellite-based internet services, particularly in remote areas lacking traditional telecom infrastructure.

Indian telecom companies, such as Mukesh Ambani’s Reliance Jio and Sunil Bharti Mittal’s Bharti Airtel, had lobbied for a spectrum auction, claiming it would level the playing field. However, the government decided to adopt administrative allocation, aligning with international norms, enabling companies like Starlink to operate more freely. This decision could reshape the future of satellite internet in India, fostering competition and improving connectivity in underserved regions.

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