Mumbai: In a groundbreaking move to bridge the digital divide, Maharashtra has become the first Indian state to formally partner with Elon Musk's Starlink Satellite Communications Pvt Ltd. The state government signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with the SpaceX-backed satellite internet provider on Wednesday, marking a major milestone in expanding internet access to remote and underserved regions of Maharashtra.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis welcomed Starlink Vice President Lauren Dreyer for the signing ceremony in Mumbai. Highlighting the importance of the partnership, Fadnavis said, "Elon Musk's Starlink is one of the largest companies in the ICT industry, holding the largest number of communication satellites in the world. It is our honour that the company is arriving in India and partnering with Maharashtra."

The collaboration targets improved connectivity for government institutions, rural communities, and critical public infrastructure in remote districts such as Gadchiroli, Nandurbar, Dharashiv, and Washim. This initiative aligns closely with Maharashtra's flagship Digital Maharashtra mission and also integrates with the state's programs focused on electric vehicles, coastal development, and disaster resilience.

Starlink has outlined plans to establish nine gateway earth stations across India, including locations in Mumbai, Noida, Kolkata, Chandigarh, and Lucknow, to support its expected commercial launch in early 2026. The company is working through regulatory and compliance approvals with India's Department of Telecommunications and has already begun staffing its planned Bengaluru headquarters.

With over 6,000 low-Earth orbit satellites globally, Starlink's entry into India sets the stage for competitive satellite broadband services alongside domestic players like Jio Satellite and Eutelsat OneWeb. For Maharashtra, this partnership represents a "giant leap towards a future-ready state," as described by CM Fadnavis, who emphasised that it sets a benchmark for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Digital India mission at the grassroots level.

The Maharashtra-Starlink collaboration aims to revolutionise digital infrastructure by ensuring high-speed internet access in areas where traditional broadband is limited or unavailable, thereby enhancing governance, education, healthcare, and overall socio-economic development across the state.