Elon Musk’s Starlink plans in India have sparked a debate over the country’s telecom market. And now, Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu has weighed in, pushing back against Musk’s criticism of India’s business environment.The exchange comes as Starlink looks to enter a market where mobile data is already among the cheapest in the world. Musk has questioned how business is done in India, while Vembu has pointed to what the country has achieved in areas such as affordable internet, medicines and digital payments.
What did Sridhar Vembu say about Elon Musk?
Vembu’s response focused on something he believes India has got right: keeping essential services affordable.India’s low data prices have made internet access possible for millions of people. For Vembu, that is worth recognising, especially when the conversation turns to whether foreign companies get a fair chance to do business in the country.He also brought up affordable medicines and UPI, India’s widely used digital payment system, as examples of how the country has built services that reach people at scale.The point was simple. India’s market may not work exactly like other markets, but its low costs have helped ordinary people access services that might otherwise be out of reach.
Why is Elon Musk talking about Starlink in India?
Starlink, Musk’s satellite internet company, wants to bring its services to India. Unlike traditional broadband, it uses satellites to provide internet access, which could be useful in places where laying cables or building mobile infrastructure is difficult.But entering India means operating in a market where customers already have access to very cheap mobile data. Starlink will also have to work within the country’s rules and licensing requirements.Musk has raised concerns about the way business is conducted in India and referred to the influence of “certain oligarchs”. His comments have added to the debate over whether overseas companies face an uneven playing field.
What did the government say?
Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia has said that three companies have received licences for satellite communications services: Starlink, Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satcom.That puts Starlink alongside other players hoping to tap into India’s satellite internet market. But a licence is only one part of the process. Companies still need to meet the applicable regulatory and security requirements before they can offer services to customers.
Can Starlink compete with India’s cheap data?
That is the bigger question.Satellite internet could make a real difference in remote villages, hilly regions and areas where conventional connectivity is unreliable. It could also help restore communications during disasters, when existing networks may be disrupted.But Starlink is not necessarily a replacement for the mobile data most Indians use every day. Its appeal will depend on pricing, availability and whether customers feel they need a separate satellite internet connection.India’s cheap data market will be a tough one to enter. And that is what makes the debate more interesting than a clash between two business leaders. It raises a larger question: how can India attract global companies while protecting the advantages its own consumers have gained from affordable services?
