India’s Maharashtra state, home to the financial hub Mumbai, is set to become the first region in the country to roll out Musk’s Starlink internet service. The announcement was made by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, marking a major milestone for India’s digital infrastructure.
Starlink, owned by Musk, provides high-speed internet through low-orbit satellites, allowing connectivity even in the most remote areas. The service has already generated significant debate in India, with concerns raised about pricing models and spectrum allocation.
India, which is expected to have over 900 million internet users by the end of this year, granted Starlink an operational licence in June. According to Fadnavis, Maharashtra is “poised to become the first Indian state to formally collaborate with Starlink.” He stated on X, the Musk-owned social media platform, that the partnership would help the state lead India in satellite-based digital innovation.
In March, two of India’s largest telecom providers — Jio Platforms and Bharti Airtel — announced their own agreements with SpaceX to deliver Starlink connectivity to customers. This collaboration signals growing interest in expanding internet access to underserved regions.
Lauren Dreyer, Starlink’s vice-president of business operations, expressed enthusiasm about the development. She said the company is “excited to help advance India’s digital vision” and looks forward to connecting schools, hospitals, and remote communities once final approvals are secured.
India’s expanding digital market has drawn strong interest from major global tech companies. In October, Google announced a $15 billion investment to establish an AI and data hub in India, the largest outside the United States. Similarly, U.S. firms Anthropic and OpenAI plan to open offices in the country, while Perplexity AI has partnered with Airtel.
The collaboration between Maharashtra and Musk’s Starlink marks a key step toward bridging India’s digital divide and boosting global connectivity.
In other news read more about: Starlink’s Pakistan Registration Tied to Elon Musk’s Apology
