Maharashtra has become the first state in India to formalize a partnership with Starlink, the satellite internet division of Elon Musk’s SpaceX ecosystem. The state signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Starlink in the presence of Lauren Dreyer, Vice President of Starlink, aiming to provide advanced satellite-based internet services across the region. This move follows the recent establishment of a Tesla showroom in Mumbai, further marking the presence of Musk’s companies in the state.
The core objective of the collaboration is to bridge the digital divide, ensuring that connectivity reaches the most remote and underserved areas. CM Fadnavis stated, “With Starlink’s cutting-edge satellite technology, led by Elon Musk and Lauren Dreyer, Maharashtra takes a bold leap forward in bridging the last digital divide—powering education, healthcare, and connectivity in every corner of our State.”
This pioneering collaboration is slated to empower critical public service locations and infrastructure, including tribal and rural schools, primary health centers, disaster control rooms, and coastal and forest outposts. The service is also intended to extend connectivity along key corridors like the Samruddhi Mahamarg.
The agreement, however, remains subject to Starlink’s obtaining necessary regulatory and compliance clearances from the Department of Telecom, Government of India. If successful, this initiative will not only establish a major presence for Starlink in India but also revolutionize accessibility to high-speed internet, fulfilling the mission of ensuring no citizen or community is left behind in the digital transformation.
