Maharashtra has become the first Indian state to formally partner with Starlink for its satellite-based internet services. The announcement of the landmark collaboration was made by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who called billionaire Elon Musk's Starlink one of the largest companies in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry.
The letter of intent (LOI) was signed by Lauren Dreyer, Vice President, Starlink, and Virendra Singh, IAS, Secretary, Department of Information Technology, Government of Maharashtra, in presence of Fadnavis.
"BIG NEWS! Maharashtra becomes India's first state to partner with Starlink!," the Maharashtra CM posted on X sharing the development.
This marks Maharashtra as the first state to collaborate with Starlink to deploy satellite-based internet services for government institutions, rural communities, and critical public infrastructure across "remote and underserved regions and aspirational districts" such as Gadchiroli, Nandurbar, Washim and Dharashiv.
It is our honour that the company is arriving in India and partnering with Maharashtra, the Maharashtra CM said described Starlink as one of the largest companies in the ICT industry holding the largest number of communication satellites in the world.
The Maharashtra-Starlink collaboration supports state's flagship Digital Maharashtra mission and integrates with its EV, coastal development, and disaster resilience programmes, he noted.
V-P Dreyer said that Starlink's mission is to connect those who have been left behind by traditional infrastructure. "We pride ourselves in providing high speed connectivity whatever their background and wherever people are. We are therefore honored to collaborate with the Government of Maharashtra in this first-of-its-kind initiative. Starlink’s mission, which is complementary to other government initiatives and providers, is to connect those who have been left behind by traditional infrastructure," she said.
Dreyer noted that Maharashtra’s vision for inclusive and resilient digital growth perfectly aligns with Starlink's. "Together, we aim to demonstrate how satellite internet can empower schools, healthcare facilities, and communities across the most remote corners of India," she added.
Starlink-Maha govt partnership: What it delivers
With this landmark decision, Maharashtra will lead India in satellite-enabled digital infrastructure. “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. This partnership reflects our commitment to build a truly connected, future-ready Maharashtra. We are proud to be India’s first state to launch this collaboration and set the benchmark for Digital India at the grassroots," Fadnavis said.
"This is a giant leap towards future-ready Maharashtra and sets the benchmark for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Digital India mission at the grassroots," he added.
Starlink's licence from DoT
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) granted Starlink the Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) licence in June, following the company's completion of all security requirements specified in its letter of intent.
Starlink is now the third satcom company to get a GMPCS licence after Eutelsat's OneWeb and Reliance Jio to provide services in the country.
In July, Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia confirmed that Musk-led Starlink received the licence to launch satellite internet service in India. The Tesla CEO met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in February during the latter's visit to the United States, where the two discussed Starlink's launch plans and India's concerns over meeting certain security conditions.
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