MoU signed in presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to connect remote and underserved regions with high-speed satellite internet

Mumbai, November 5: Maharashtra has become the first Indian state to enter into a formal partnership with Starlink Satellite Communications Pvt. Ltd. to expand satellite-based internet connectivity across remote and underserved regions. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the state’s Department of Information Technology and Starlink in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, marking a major step toward bridging the digital divide across the state.

Chief Minister Fadnavis stated that this strategic partnership would enable access to cutting-edge satellite technology, helping reach every corner of Maharashtra with high-speed internet services. “This collaboration with Starlink will help bring digital access to the remotest villages of the state. Every school, every health center, and every gram panchayat will now be connected — no matter how distant they are. This initiative represents our commitment to building a future-ready and fully connected Maharashtra,” Fadnavis said.

The MoU was signed by Lauren Dreyer, Vice-President of Starlink, and Virendra Singh, Secretary of the Information Technology Department, in the presence of senior government officials including IT Minister Ashish Shelar, Additional Chief Secretaries Vikas Kharge (Revenue), Vikaschandra Rastogi (Agriculture), Dr. Govindraj (Urban Development), and others. Also present were Eknath Davle (Rural Development), Vinita Vaid-Singhal (Relief & Rehabilitation), P. Anbalagan (Industries), Kaustubh Dhavse (Chief Minister’s Investment & Policy Advisor), Manoj Ladwa (Starlink India Representative), Makarand Kurtadikar (MahaIT GM), and Lauren Dreyer (CEO, SpaceX).

Bridging the Digital Divide

Under this strategic partnership, Starlink and the Maharashtra government will jointly work to connect rural and remote locations such as tribal schools, primary health centers, disaster management units, forest outposts, and coastal regions, including Gadchiroli, Nandurbar, Dharashiv, and Washim districts. The initiative will also provide satellite-based connectivity along critical infrastructure corridors like the Samruddhi Expressway, ferry routes, ports, and coastal police networks.

A key focus will be enabling smart connectivity for education and telemedicine, ensuring that essential services reach citizens in far-flung areas.

Pilot Project and Expansion Plan

A joint task force will be established to implement the project in three phases — 30, 60, and 90 days — as part of a 90-day pilot program. The progress will be reviewed quarterly under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister.

The pilot will focus on:

• Providing satellite internet connectivity to government and tribal schools, Aaple Sarkar centers, and primary health facilities.
• Enhancing communication for disaster response and coastal security.
• Delivering high-speed connectivity for education and healthcare services.
• Conducting training and capacity-building programs for state departments and local communities.

Following successful completion of the pilot, the initiative will be scaled across Maharashtra, making it a national leader in satellite-based digital infrastructure.

Starlink’s Global Perspective

Starlink’s Vice-President Lauren Dreyer expressed pride in partnering with Maharashtra, saying, “Our mission is to make high-speed internet accessible to people anywhere, regardless of background or geography. Partnering with the Government of Maharashtra is an honor, as the state’s inclusive and resilient digital vision aligns perfectly with ours. Together, we will empower education, healthcare, and rural communities through satellite internet.”

Boost to Digital Maharashtra Mission

The Maharashtra–Starlink collaboration is expected to accelerate the Digital Maharashtra mission, integrating with other state programs related to electric vehicles (EVs), coastal development, and disaster resilience.

About Starlink

Starlink is the world’s most advanced low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation providing reliable, high-speed broadband internet. The network is developed and operated by SpaceX, a global leader in launch services and the only company with reusable rocket technology.

With this landmark partnership, Maharashtra is poised to become India’s pioneer in satellite-powered digital connectivity — setting a model for rural digital inclusion and next-generation internet access across the nation.