Maharashtra on Wednesday became the first Indian state to partner with Elon Musk’s Starlink for satellite-based internet services. The announcement of the landmark partnership was made by none other than state chief minister Devendra Fadnavis on the internet, who referred to Elon Musk’s starlink as one of the biggest players in the Information 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 to expand high-speed internet access across rural and remote regions.
Under the partnership, satellite internet will be deployed in government institutions, public infrastructure and underserved districts, including Gadchiroli, Nandurbar, Dharashiv and Washim.
The move is part of the state’s Digital Maharashtra mission and aims to strengthen digital connectivity in areas with limited network access.
“Elon Musk’s Starlink is one of the largest companies in the ICT industry holding the largest number of communication satellites in the world. It is our honour that the company is arriving in India and partnering with Maharashtra. This is a giant leap towards future-ready Maharashtra and setting the benchmark for Hon PM Narendra Modi Ji’s Digital India mission at the grassroots. ,” Fadnavis wrote on X.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) granted Starlink the Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) licence earlier this year in June, following the company’s completion of all security requirements as mentioned in its letter of intent.
Starlink has now become the third satcom company to get a GMPCS licence after Eutelsat’s OneWeb and Reliance Jio to provide services in the country.
One of the signatories on the letter of intent between the two entities, V-P Dreyer lauded the collaboration stating 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 added.
Tesla CEO, Elon Musk had previously 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.
