Bharat is open for business, not open for bullying

I still remember the time when the internet was so expensive in Bharat that we used to turn our mobile data ON and OFF just to save it. We had 1GB or 2GB data packs, and every MB mattered. Today, people talk about unlimited data, but things were very different back then.

If we talk about Bharat's internet revolution, we cannot ignore the role played by Reliance Jio. Jio entered the market with affordable data plans, changed the entire telecom industry, and pushed other players to become more competitive on pricing. Of course, multiple companies like Airtel and Idea have contributed to Bharat's digital growth, but Jio played a major role in making mobile internet affordable for millions of Bhartiyas.

Today, Bharat is among the countries with the cheapest mobile data in the world.

Now, let's talk about Starlink.

Satellite internet can be extremely useful for hilly regions, forests, and places where installing mobile towers or laying fibre cables is difficult.

Starlink is not simply banned in Bharat. It has received important licences and approvals, but final security requirements and spectrum-related clearances still need to be completed before it can start commercial operations.

So, when Elon Musk starts making allegations that Ambani is blocking Starlink from entering Bharat, we can understand the frustration.

We also have security concerns. Bhartiya authorities have reported recovering Starlink equipment during a drug seizure operation in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and during an army operation in Manipur in 2024. This does not prove that Starlink itself was responsible for any wrongdoing, but it shows why authorities need clear rules around the use of satellite communication equipment.

National security cannot be treated as a minor formality just because a company has advanced technology or operates successfully in many other countries.

Starlink may offer excellent speeds and connectivity in places where traditional networks struggle. But good technology alone does not guarantee affordable internet.

What will be the cost of the equipment? What will be the monthly subscription? Will a family living in a remote hilly village be able to afford it?

Satellite internet could be a game changer for people who have no reliable alternative, but we should not assume that it will be cheaper than Jio or Airtel before comparing the actual prices and plans available in Bharat.

And we should not forget the employment angle either. Bharat's existing telecom infrastructure supports a large ecosystem of technicians, engineers, contractors, maintenance workers, and other professionals. Thousands of people and businesses are involved in keeping these networks running.

How many jobs will Starlink create in Bharat? What investments will it make locally? How much infrastructure will it build here? These are questions worth asking.

There is also a broader international perspective that deserves attention.

We have seen Bhartiya companies and business entities face restrictions and sanctions in the USA.

I am not saying that every restriction imposed by the USA is unfair or that these cases are directly comparable to Starlink's situation in Bharat. They are not the same issue.

But they do remind us of one important reality that every country has its own laws, strategic interests, security priorities, and regulatory conditions. Bhartiya companies operating internationally also have to deal with those rules, even when they have invested heavily or established a strong presence in a market.

So, when an international company wants to enter Bharat, it should also understand that it has to operate within Bharat's legal and regulatory framework. Approval in one country does not automatically guarantee approval in another country within the same timeframe.

Look at China. It imposes significant restrictions on many foreign internet platforms and technology companies. Bharat, by comparison, allows foreign companies to enter and compete, subject to its laws and regulations.

Bharat welcomes global innovation. But welcoming foreign investment does not mean abandoning our own regulatory process or compromising national security.

Bharat is open for business, not open for bullying. If you want access to our market, respect our rules. Simple.