In a landmark move that could redefine India’s digital connectivity landscape, Maharashtra has become the first Indian state to formally partner with Elon Musk’s Starlink, the satellite internet venture of SpaceX. Announced by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, the collaboration is part of the state’s broader Digital Maharashtra Mission, aimed at bringing high-speed internet to the remotest corners of the state where traditional broadband infrastructure has struggled to reach. 

The Letter of Intent (LOI) was signed in Mumbai by Lauren Dreyer, Vice President of Starlink, and Virendra Singh, IAS, Secretary, Department of Information Technology, Government of Maharashtra, in the presence of CM Fadnavis. 

“BIG NEWS! Maharashtra becomes India’s first state to partner with Starlink!”  Fadnavis shared on X, calling it a “giant leap toward a future-ready Maharashtra.”

Connecting the Unconnected

This collaboration aims to deploy satellite-based internet services across government institutions, rural communities, and critical public infrastructure in Maharashtra’s most underserved and aspirational districts, including Gadchiroli, Nandurbar, Washim, and Dharashiv. Through Starlink’s advanced satellite constellation, these regions—often marked by hilly terrain, dense forests, or poor terrestrial infrastructure—will gain access to reliable high-speed connectivity for the first time. The initiative supports Maharashtra’s Digital Maharashtra Mission while also complementing the state’s efforts in electric vehicle policy, coastal development, education, telemedicine, and disaster resilience.

Starlink’s  Vision: Internet Without Boundaries

Starlink’s entry into India comes after years of anticipation and regulatory negotiations. In June 2025, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) granted Starlink the Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) license after the company met all required security and compliance conditions. With this license, Starlink became the third satellite communication company authorized to provide services in India after Eutelsat OneWeb and Reliance Jio Satellite Communications. The approval followed discussions between Elon Musk and Prime Minister Narendra Modi during Modi’s visit to the United States earlier in the year, where the two discussed Starlink’s India plans and national security considerations. This official nod now allows Starlink to offer satellite internet across India, paving the way for large-scale public-private collaborations like Maharashtra’s.

How Starlink Works: Internet from the Sky

Starlink operates a constellation of over 6,000 low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, delivering high-speed, low-latency internet globally. The system is particularly effective in remote or rural regions, where laying fiber-optic cables or building mobile towers is logistically or economically unviable. Globally, Starlink provides coverage to 150 countries and territories, offering speeds of 50–150 Mbps for residential users and up to 500 Mbps for business plans. Its services range from household connections and business-grade internet to maritime and aviation connectivity. 

In the U.S., Starlink users pay around $120 per month for internet service, with a one-time hardware cost of about $599 for a user terminal. Business and maritime users pay higher fees for enhanced speeds and coverage. While pricing for India has yet to be announced, the company is expected to adopt a localized pricing model, making the service affordable for rural and institutional users under government partnership schemes.

Digital Maharashtra: Leading the Way

Chief Minister Fadnavis hailed the collaboration as a milestone for inclusive growth and innovation. The Maharashtra-Starlink collaboration will serve as a model for other Indian states, demonstrating how satellite internet can strengthen governance, improve access to education and healthcare, and enhance emergency communication in disaster-prone regions. For millions in Maharashtra’s rural and tribal areas, this partnership represents more than just faster internet; it’s a bridge to opportunity. In districts like Gadchiroli and Nandurbar, schools often struggle with digital learning due to poor connectivity. Telemedicine centers face delays in transferring patient data. Local entrepreneurs are cut off from e-commerce and digital banking. 

With Starlink’s high-speed satellite internet, a child in a remote village can now attend virtual classes without disruption, a doctor can consult specialists in real time, and small businesses can sell products across India. This partnership symbolizes not only technological progress but also digital inclusion, empowering those left behind by traditional infrastructure.

India’s Satellite Internet Future

As Maharashtra takes the lead, Starlink’s collaboration signals a broader transformation for India’s digital future. With increasing government focus on Digital India, Make in India, and Atmanirbhar Bharat, satellite internet could play a crucial role in connecting India’s most challenging terrains and communities. With Starlink, OneWeb, and Jio Satellite competing in the same space, India’s satellite communication landscape is poised for innovation, affordability, and massive expansion. 

Starlink’s debut in India, through its partnership with Maharashtra, marks a defining moment in the nation’s technological evolution. It’s not merely about internet access; it’s about empowerment, equality, and innovation reaching every last mile. By connecting remote communities, strengthening governance, and fostering digital education and healthcare, Maharashtra is not just adopting technology; it’s redefining what it means to be connected in 21st-century India.