Starlink, a satellite-based internet service owned by Elon Musk, has finally arrived in India, formally partnering with Maharashtra. Musk’s ambitious space-based internet venture, which doesn’t work like traditional internet services, has finally signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with the Maharashtra Government. The high-speed broadband service will now be able to expand its business in India, aiming to bridge connectivity gaps in remote and underserved areas.
As soon as Starlink receives mandatory and necessary regulatory approvals from the Department of Telecom and the central government, the collaboration will officially take off to its next step.
Starlink Partnership with Maharashtra Government
Maharashtra has made history and become the first Indian state to initiate a formal partnership with Starlink. The collaboration was announced by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. The official LoI was signed in Mumbai with Lauren Dreyer, Vice President of Starlink.
This partnership happened with an aim to deliver high-speed satellite internet services to government institutions, rural communities, and critical public infrastructure. The service will mainly focus on areas that struggle with traditional network coverage.
Starlink Services in Remote Areas
Starlink will initially be deployed in areas in Maharashtra that lack internet services, such as Gadchiroli, Nandurbar, Dharashiv, and Washim. These areas in the state lack connectivity due to its low population and difficult terrain.
Satellite internet offers a solution for such locations, ensuring that residents and institutions gain access to reliable, high-speed internet.
Maharashtra’s Digital Ambitions
The Maharashtra government’s collaboration with Starlink will align the state’s essential initiative called ‘Digital Maharashtra.’ This collaboration focuses on enhancing digital infrastructure and empowering citizens through technology. At first, the Starlink services are expected to support government sectors like electricity, mobility infrastructure, and coastal development. In addition, the service will also be beneficial for disaster resilience systems in the state, where uninterrupted electricity is critical.
