Starlink enters India, starting with Maharashtra

The government of Maharashtra just became the first state in India to officially partner with Elon Musk’s Starlink. It’s signed a major deal to beam satellite internet into its most remote corners.

This is a massive play for the state. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis framed the deal as a major win in his announcement on X.

Massive potential

The state government and Starlink Satellite Communications Pvt Ltd formalised the deal by signing a Letter of Intent this week.

Of course, there is one key hurdle. The entire rollout hinges on Starlink getting the final green light and regulatory clearances from India’s central Department of Telecommunications. Assuming the paperwork checks out, this is a big deal.

The collaboration will kick off with a 90-day pilot programme. A joint working group is set to manage this test phase with progress reviews every 30, 60, and 90 days. The goal is not just to light up suburban homes. The focus is on critical infrastructure and underserved communities, especially in districts like Gadchiroli, Nandurbar, Washim, and Dharashiv.

These districts are home to several tribal schools, primary health centres, forest outposts, and Aaple Sarkar centres. They will now receive high-speed access.

The initiative will also boost connectivity for coastal police networks and disaster control rooms. The tech will even cover major infrastructure projects like the Samruddhi Mahamarg expressway and various coastal development zones.

Starlink’s Vice President, Lauren Dreyer, called the partnership a “first-of-its-kind initiative.” She said the company’s mission complements other providers by focusing on connecting people “left behind by traditional infrastructure.” Starlink uses its massive fleet of low-Earth orbit satellites and reusable rockets to do just that.

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This pilot is not just about letting people stream videos to their phones. It is a critical testbed for using reliable satellite internet to power education, telemedicine, surveillance, and emergency communication, particularly in difficult terrain.