Maharashtra has taken a major step toward digital inclusion by becoming the first Indian state to officially partner with Starlink for satellite-based internet services. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the collaboration, calling Elon Musk’s Starlink one of the most significant players in the global Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector.
The Letter of Intent (LoI) was signed in Mumbai by Lauren Dreyer, Vice President of Starlink, and Virendra Singh, IAS, Secretary of Maharashtra’s Department of Information Technology, in the presence of Fadnavis. Sharing the news on X, the Chief Minister wrote, “BIG NEWS! Maharashtra becomes India’s first state to partner with Starlink!”
Connecting Remote Corners of the State
Under this partnership, Starlink will provide satellite-powered internet connectivity to government offices, public institutions, and underserved rural communities across remote and aspirational districts such as Gadchiroli, Nandurbar, Washim, and Dharashiv. The aim is to strengthen access to digital services for education, healthcare, and governance in areas where conventional infrastructure has yet to reach.
Fadnavis said the partnership marks a historic milestone for Maharashtra’s Digital Maharashtra Mission, adding that it will also complement the state’s initiatives in electric mobility, coastal development, and disaster management. “With Starlink joining hands with Maharashtra, we are bridging the last digital divide—connecting every village, every school, and every health centre, no matter how remote,” he said.
A Shared Vision for Digital Inclusion
Starlink Vice President Lauren Dreyer described the partnership as a shared effort to ensure high-speed connectivity for everyone, regardless of geography or background. “We are honoured to collaborate with the Government of Maharashtra in this first-of-its-kind initiative,” she said. “Together, we aim to show how satellite internet can empower schools, healthcare facilities, and communities across India’s most remote regions.”
A Boost for India’s Digital Goals
The partnership comes months after the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) granted Starlink a Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) licence, allowing it to operate in India. Starlink became the third satcom company—after Eutelsat OneWeb and Reliance Jio Satellite Communications—to receive this licence.
The move strengthens Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Digital India mission, positioning Maharashtra as a pioneer in satellite-enabled digital infrastructure. Fadnavis said the initiative will set a benchmark for other states, paving the way for a future-ready, fully connected Maharashtra.
In Dreyer’s words, Maharashtra’s vision of inclusive, resilient digital growth aligns perfectly with Starlink’s mission to connect those “left behind by traditional infrastructure.” Together, the collaboration promises to narrow India’s digital divide—one village, school, and healthcare centre at a time.
