Maharashtra has inked a Letter of Intent with Starlink to deliver satellite internet across underserved regions. The move kick-starts a Maharashtra Starlink rollout focused on rural connectivity, public institutions, and hard terrain where fibre and towers struggle. It is the first state-level partnership of its kind in India, and it plugs directly into the Digital Maharashtra mission. The plan is both simple and ambitious. Start fast, measure impact, and scale what works.
In This Article
What is actually rolling out
A joint working group will oversee a milestone-based 90-day pilot. Progress checks arrive at day 30, day 60, and day 90 under the Chief Minister’s review. Early deployments aim at tribal and government schools, Aaple Sarkar centres, primary health centres, disaster control rooms, forest outposts, and coastal policing. The state is also targeting connectivity along infrastructure corridors such as Samruddhi Mahamarg and coastal development zones. The intent is clear. Build a reliable digital spine where it is needed most.
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Why satellite now
Starlink operates a low Earth orbit constellation that prioritises low latency and broad coverage. A LEO satellite network is well-suited to hilly interiors, dense forests, and coastlines where last-mile access is unreliable or uneconomical. For Maharashtra, this tech unlocks digital classrooms, telemedicine consults, and resilient communications for disaster response. In plain terms, it is less about top speed and more about dependable service where there was none.
The compliance checkpoint
The rollout proceeds once the company clears India’s regulatory framework. DoT regulatory clearance and ongoing security compliance remain formal prerequisites before scaled operations. That is standard for any satcom service in the country. The state has stated that implementation will align with its broader programs on EV development, coastal development, and disaster resilience. The message is consistent. Connectivity is an enabler, not an end goal.
Who benefits first
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Students in remote and tribal schools that need stable access for digital learning
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Patients and clinicians at primary health centres rely on telemedicine
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Officials at disaster control rooms that require always-on links during crises
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Forest and coastal police units operating across long, low-coverage stretches
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Rural communities in aspirational districts such as Gadchiroli, Nandurbar, Dharashiv, and Washim
What to watch in the next 90 days
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Service availability: How many locations come online during the pilot
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Uptime and latency: Reliability across varied terrain and weather
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Use-case adoption: Real usage in classrooms, clinics, and command centres
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Affordability and ops: Costs for public institutions and local maintenance models
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Scalability: A path from pilot to phased statewide deployment
The bigger picture
If the pilot delivers, Maharashtra could set a national template for satellite internet in public service delivery. Fibre will still matter. Mobile networks will still carry the bulk of traffic. But where traditional networks thin out, satellite can close gaps with speed and predictability. This is how inclusive connectivity looks when policy and technology pull in the same direction.
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Ambition is the easy part. Success will hinge on quiet, unglamorous work like site surveys, power backups, and training. If those blocks fall into place, this pilot can shift the narrative from patchy coverage to practical access.
