Maharashtra has signed a Letter of Intent with Starlink Satellite Communications Pvt. Ltd to bring satellite internet to remote and underserved areas. This is the first agreement of its kind in India. The move is part of the Digital Maharashtra mission to expand broadband access across the state.

The deal was signed in Mumbai by Starlink vice-president Lauren Dreyer and state IT Secretary Virendra Singh. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis was present at the event.

The project will focus on tribal districts such as Gadchiroli, Nandurbar, Washim and Dharashiv. These areas have limited or no internet access. Once Starlink gets the needed approvals from the Department of Telecommunications, its low-Earth orbit satellites will provide internet coverage to these regions.

The satellite internet will connect tribal schools, Aaple Sarkar centres, primary health centres, forest outposts, coastal police stations and disaster control rooms. It will also improve connectivity along the Mumbai to Nagpur Samruddhi Expressway and in coastal development zones.

A joint working group will manage a 90-day pilot rollout. Progress will be reviewed every 30, 60 and 90 days. The pilot will operate under the direction of the Chief Minister.

Fadnavis called the deal a step toward ending the digital gap in the state. He said the plan would bring internet to every remote village, school and health centre in Maharashtra.

Lauren Dreyer said Starlink’s goal is to bring fast internet to places traditional networks do not reach. She called the partnership a first-of-its-kind effort.

Starlink is a unit of SpaceX and runs the largest network of low-Earth orbit satellites. The company is planning a full commercial launch in India by early 2026. It is building gateway stations across the country to support this rollout.

The pilot in Maharashtra will show how satellite internet can help in education, telemedicine, emergency communication and public safety. It also supports other state programs like EV development, coastal planning and disaster readiness.

(Source)

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