Kamal Hassan urges satellite internet competition while protecting national security

A tweet by Kamal Hassan stated, "Mr. Musk, yes, no billionaire should dictate a nation’s policy - Indian or American."

India must welcome competition in satellite internet from Indian and global providers offering practical, affordable solutions for remote regions.

India's networks and spectrum are strategic infrastructure, and national security safeguards are non-negotiable.

Both India and the U.S. restricted Huawei over security concerns, and the U.S. imposed 100 percent tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles to protect domestic industry.

Citing the Comptroller and Auditor General's 2026 audit report, questions remain on why only 33.2 percent of service-ready Gram Panchayats under BharatNet were operational.

The cited audit report noted that ₹39,888 crore had been spent on BharatNet.

For Indian-origin policy watchers and tech professionals, the stance highlights connectivity debates and national security measures spanning India and the U.S.