News Brief
Maharashtra Becomes First State To Partner With Elon Musk's Starlink To Deliver Satellite Internet In Remote Areas
Chief Minister Fadnavis said the collaboration will revolutionise rural connectivity.
In a landmark move to bridge the state’s digital divide, the Maharashtra government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Starlink Satellite Communications Private Limited to provide satellite-based internet connectivity across remote and underserved regions.
The MoU, signed by Starlink Vice President Lauren Dreyer and State IT Secretary Virendra Singh in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, makes Maharashtra the first Indian state to formally partner with Starlink.
Chief Minister Fadnavis called the partnership a defining moment for the state’s digital transformation.
As Starlink partners with Maharashtra, we are bridging the digital divide to the last village in the state. Every school, every health centre and every village, no matter how remote, will now be digitally connected, he said, adding that the initiative would serve as a model for a truly inclusive “Digital India.”
Lauren Dreyer, Vice President of Starlink, described the partnership as aligned with the company’s mission to connect communities excluded from traditional infrastructure.
Our mission is to provide high-speed internet to people from all backgrounds, anywhere, and we are honoured to be part of this historic partnership with the Government of Maharashtra, she said.
The initiative will also support communication along key infrastructure routes, including the Samruddhi Highway, ferry routes, and ports, while advancing smart connectivity for education and telemedicine.
A joint working group will monitor a 90 day pilot programme, rolled out in three phases of 30, 60, and 90 days, with quarterly reviews led by the Chief Minister.
Once fully operational, the initiative will integrate with Maharashtra’s wider programmes on EV adoption, coastal development, and disaster resilience.
