ഇന്ത്യയിലെ സാറ്റലൈറ്റ് ഇന്റർനെറ്റ് നിയന്ത്രണങ്ങളെ വിമർശിച്ച ഇലോൺ മസ്കിന് മറുപടിയുമായി സോഹോ സ്ഥാപകൻ ശ്രീധർ വെമ്പു രംഗത്ത്. ഇന്ത്യയിലെ കുറഞ്ഞ ഡാറ്റാ നിരക്കുകൾ, യുപിഐ പേയ്മെന്റ് സംവിധാനങ്ങൾ, മരുന്നുകളുടെ വിലക്കുറവ് എന്നിവ ചൂണ്ടിക്കാട്ടി, മോദി സർക്കാർ ആരോഗ്യകരമായ മത്സരം പ്രോത്സാഹിപ്പിക്കുന്നുവെന്ന് അദ്ദേഹം വ്യക്തമാക്കി.
Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu has responded to Elon Musk's criticism of India's regulatory framework for satellite internet services, citing the country's low mobile data prices, affordable medicines and low-cost digital payment systems to argue that competition has benefited consumers.
In a post on X, Vembu defended the role of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani's Jio in bringing down data prices and said Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government had encouraged competition and the growth of startups.
"These are the facts Elon," Vembu wrote, responding to the Tesla and SpaceX CEO's remarks about Starlink's entry into India and alleged monopolistic practices.
"India has the among the lowest data prices in the world. It is so good that I don't even bother to connect to local Wifi when I travel in India and just tether my phone to work on my computer. Indians routinely have dual SIM phones with large data plans because they are so affordable. Ambani's launch of Jio is directly responsible for the low data prices Indians enjoy.
India has among the lowest drug prices in the world (and going lower still). People who visit India buy medicines to take home quite regularly now.
India has among the lowest cost payment systems in the world in UPI.
On the other hand, Tesla is protected from Chinese competition in the US market, keeping EV prices higher in America than elsewhere.
Prime Minister Modi has worked hard to create a competitive economy where the benefits flow to the average Indian. His government does not tolerate monopolies. He has also actively promoted and encouraged a massive surge in startups and that is the best signal of a highly competitive economy.
Directly due to Modi government policy, Indian startups are making major advances in low cost rockets and that poses a threat to SpaceX the same say the Chinese EVs threaten Tesla.
These are the facts Elon."
Vembu's remarks came after Musk questioned whether Indian business interests were preventing Starlink from entering the country's satellite communications market.
"Unfortunately, we are being blocked by certain oligarchs in order to maintain their monopolistic chokehold on the Indian people. You can guess who they are... This is a crime against the people of India!" the tech mogul wrote.
On Thursday, Musk again questioned the delay in Starlink receiving a licence to operate in India, claiming that the company had complied with the government's requirements.
"Starlink is licensed in over 165 countries and has spent five years complying with every single law and requirement of the government of India, so why still no license? Is Ambani the real boss of India?" he wrote.
Musk subsequently took another swipe at Mukesh Ambani, sarcastically referring to him as India's prime minister while questioning the role of business interests in Starlink's entry into the country.
"Dear Prime Minister Ambani, please accept my humble apologies for not realising that you are the real boss of India," the Tesla and SpaceX CEO wrote.
"Naturally, you would prefer to maintain your monopolistic exploitation of the great people of India, but would you nonetheless consider allowing Starlink to compete?" he asked, adding, "There are many areas of India, as there are in all countries, with no Internet access, which denies children the opportunity for education and for small businesses the opportunity to sell their goods to a global market. Starlink would change their lives for the better."
In his Friday post, Musk also argued that Starlink had helped save lives during natural disasters when other communications systems failed. He said allowing the company to operate in India could similarly help save men, women and children across the country.
"A post is being circulated on social media regarding the fairness of India's regulatory framework for satellite communication services and suggesting that it is being applied in a discriminatory manner. The Government has put in place a fair and non-discriminatory authorisation framework for all telecommunication services, including satellite communication services," it said.
The government also said the security assessment required for satellite communication services was underway.
The other two are Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb and Jio Satellite Communications Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Jio Platforms.
However, receiving a telecom licence does not by itself allow the companies to begin offering services. They must also demonstrate compliance with security conditions before spectrum can be assigned and commercial operations can begin.
The Centre has said the security assessment, which forms part of this process, is underway.
The dispute has brought attention to the regulatory approvals required for satellite internet services in India, as well as competing claims over market access, consumer choice and competition in the telecommunications sector.