Maharashtra Partners With Starlink For Satellite Internet
Maharashtra has become the first Indian state to formally partner with Elon Musk’s Starlink, signing a Letter of Intent to deploy satellite-based internet services across government institutions, rural areas, and critical infrastructure.
Key Takeaways
- Maharashtra is first Indian state with formal Starlink partnership
- Services to focus on remote regions like Gadchiroli, Nandurbar, Washim, Dharashiv
- Partnership subject to regulatory approvals from Department of Telecom
- Starlink planning 9 gateway stations across major Indian cities
Bridging the Digital Divide
The collaboration aims to provide high-speed internet to remote and underserved regions, including aspirational districts such as Gadchiroli, Nandurbar, Washim, and Dharashiv. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis emphasized this would power education, healthcare, and connectivity across the state.
“With @Starlink’s cutting-edge satellite technology, led by @elonmusk and @laurendreyer, Maharashtra takes a bold leap forward in bridging the last digital divide — powering education, healthcare, and connectivity in every corner of our State,” the Maharashtra CMO wrote in a post on X.
“With this landmark decision, Maharashtra will lead India in satellite-enabled digital infrastructure. This is a giant leap towards future-ready Maharashtra,” CM Fadnavis said in another post.
Regulatory Process and Infrastructure Plans
The partnership is contingent on Starlink receiving necessary regulatory and compliance clearances from the Department of Telecom. The company recently conducted demonstration runs in Mumbai on October 30-31 to showcase compliance with security and technical requirements.
Starlink has applied for 600 gigabits per second capacity through its Gen 1 satellite constellation and plans to establish nine gateway earth stations across major Indian cities including Mumbai, Noida, Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Lucknow.
Starlink’s India Expansion
Starlink has selected Mumbai as its operational hub, leasing a 1,294 sq ft office in Chandivali’s Boomerang commercial complex. The company has begun hiring for finance and accounting positions in Bengaluru, including payments manager, accounting manager, senior treasury analyst, and tax manager roles.
“As the company expands its international footprint and provides Starlink (our revolutionary satellite low-latency broadband internet) across the globe, Starlink Satellite Communications, a wholly-owned subsidiary of SpaceX, is seeking an accounting manager based in India to help ensure our financial reporting obligations are met,” the job description by SpaceX read.
