The Maharashtra government signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Elon Musk’s Starlink Satellite Communications Pvt. Ltd., marking the state as the first in India to collaborate formally with Starlink to deploy satellite internet services. The agreement, signed in Mumbai by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Starlink Vice-President Lauren Dreyer, aims to bring high-speed, reliable internet connectivity to government institutions, remote rural communities, and critical public infrastructure.
Priority deployment areas include aspirational districts such as Gadchiroli, Nandurbar, Washim, and Dharashiv. This partnership aligns with Maharashtra’s ambitious Digital Maharashtra mission and integrates with ongoing initiatives in electric vehicles (EV), coastal development, and disaster resilience, reflecting a commitment to create future-ready digital infrastructure at the grassroots level.
Excited to work with @CMOMaharashtra to help further the Digital India vision in every corner of Maharashtra. Looking forward to connecting schools, medical facilities and beyond in the most remote and unconnected areas once @Starlink receives final approvals! https://t.co/9IhIEXisPj
— Lauren Dreyer (@LaurenDreyer) November 5, 2025
Starlink’s Regulatory Clearances and Infrastructure Plans in India
Starlink secured clearance from Indian authorities, including a Global Mobile Personal Communication by Satellite (GMPCS) licence, enabling it to officially operate satellite-based broadband services within India. This regulatory approval comes after a thorough vetting process focusing on national security and compliance with India’s data sovereignty and security protocols. Starlink has leased office space in Mumbai’s Chandivali and plans to establish about 20 earth stations across key locations including Noida, Chennai, and Navi Mumbai, with three already under construction.
What Starlink Offers and Pricing Model
With its current satellite network, Starlink can onboard up to 20 lakh users in India, offering high-speed internet especially in areas where terrestrial broadband infrastructure is limited or unreliable. The technology leverages low Earth orbit satellites to offer speeds up to 250 Mbps and low latency, ideal for remote education, healthcare, digital government services, and emergency communications.
For consumers, the equipment cost is around ₹33,000, with a subscription fee of approximately ₹3,000 per month. The service aims to close the digital divide by bringing quality internet access to underserved and geographically challenging regions where cable or fiber optic networks are difficult to install.
Read this: India’s remaning 40% Population now can also use Internet with Elon Musk’s Starlink
Global Milestones and Future Outlook for Starlink
Globally, it has launched over 7,500 satellites and operates the largest low Earth orbit satellite constellation in the world. It has expanded rapidly across 150 countries, with 7 million active users relying on its satellite broadband to access the internet in remote areas, crisis zones, and places without reliable infrastructure. Recent technological advancements include integration of Direct to Cell (D2C) technology, which enables satellite service even on mobile phones in coverage-starved regions.
SpaceX plans to continue growing its satellite fleet significantly over the coming years, enhancing global coverage, reducing latency further, and integrating with terrestrial mobile networks. Starlink’s expansion in India represents a critical part of its global growth strategy, positioning the country as a key market for digital inclusion and next-generation internet connectivity.
