Elon Musk’s SpaceX division, Starlink (the satellite internet division), made a deal with the Maharashtra government, which makes it the first state in India to formally tie up with the global satellite communications firm. This would enable the state to provide high-speed internet connections to its most inaccessible regions.
According to the Times of India report, A letter of Intent (LOI) was signed today in Mumbai between the state government and Starlink Satellite Communications Private Limited. The signing ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Starlink's Vice President, Lauren Dreyer.
This deal is made to deploy advanced satellite-based internet services to fill the digital gap. The major areas that face connectivity problems will benefit from this digital deal. Gadchiroli, Nandurbar, Washim, and Dharashiv are mentioned among other remote and underserved regions where reliable and high-speed connectivity will be provided.
“It is our honour that the company is arriving in India and partnering with Maharashtra,” Fadnavis said in an X post. He added that the move sets a new benchmark for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Digital India' mission at the grassroots level, as cited in the Economic Times.
The services would be rolled out to government institutions, critical public infrastructure, and rural communities, which would revolutionise public services, especially in telemedicine, online education, and disaster management, which rely on stable internet connectivity.
The partnership also intends to integrate with other key state programs, such as those for electric vehicle infrastructure and coastal development, by providing a robust communication backbone.
Starlink, the world's largest constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites, is confident of a wider commercial launch in India by early 2026. The pact with Maharashtra becomes the first big initiative in the Indian market for the company, promising connectivity to parts of the state where fibre optics and traditional telecom networks have not reached.
