Starlink to Launch First in Maharashtra, India | Satellite Internet

Maharashtra to Lead India’s Starlink Rollout

Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service will launch first in Maharashtra, making India the latest country to join the global satellite broadband network. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis confirmed the state will be Starlink’s initial partner in India.

Key Developments

• Maharashtra becomes first Indian state to partner with Starlink
• Service aims to connect remote schools, medical facilities
• Jio and Airtel already have SpaceX partnerships
• Final government approvals pending

Official Announcement

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on X: “Maharashtra was poised to become the first Indian state to formally collaborate with Starlink. This collaboration will ensure the state leads India in satellite-enabled digital infrastructure.”

Telecom Partnerships

In March, India’s major telecom providers Jio Platforms and Bharti Airtel announced deals with SpaceX to offer Starlink internet services to their customers, setting the stage for satellite internet expansion.

Starlink’s India Vision

Lauren Dreyer, Starlink’s business operations vice-president, expressed excitement about advancing India’s digital transformation. “Looking forward to connecting schools, medical facilities and beyond in the most remote and unconnected areas once Starlink receives final approvals,” she stated.

Broader Tech Expansion in India

Starlink’s entry coincides with major technology investments in India. Google plans to invest $15 billion over five years to build its largest AI hub outside the US. US AI firms Anthropic and OpenAI are establishing Indian offices, while Perplexity partnered with Airtel in July.