SpaceX founder Elon Musk has accused Indian telecom giants of blocking Starlink’s market entry to protect their monopoly. Speaking on X on Wednesday, Musk claimed the delay harms everyday consumers and called the situation a crime against the people of India.

The Indian internet and telecom sectors are heavily concentrated. Reliance Industries-owned Jio and Sunil Mittal’s Airtel control over 80% of the market. Musk argued that unnamed competitors are using their market power to stifle competition. "We are being blocked by certain oligarchs in order to maintain their monopolistic chokehold on the Indian people," Musk wrote. "You can guess who they are," he added.

The delay stems from regulatory hurdles rather than commercial disputes alone. Indian authorities froze Starlink’s approvals in June over security concerns. Officials worry that unlicensed satellite terminals could be misused. SpaceX has denied these security risks and stated it is working with the government to meet safety standards.

Despite the current standstill, SpaceX has previously signed partnership agreements with both Jio and Airtel last year to launch the service across the country. The company also holds memoranda of understanding with both operators and has been operating in India for years. Globally, the satellite network now includes 11,000 devices in orbit and serves users in over 170 countries.

Musk stated the service would enable high-speed, affordable internet connectivity for those who cannot afford current prices. Starlink has not yet launched operations in India, and Jio and Airtel have not responded to requests for comment.