Elon Musk’s Starlink is set to revolutionize internet connectivity in India, with Maharashtra becoming the first state to roll out the service. The announcement, made by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on X, marks a significant step in India’s digital transformation. Starlink, which utilizes low-orbit satellites to deliver high-speed internet to remote areas, has already sparked intense discussions around predatory pricing and spectrum allocation. India, projected to surpass 900 million internet users by the end of the year, granted Starlink a license in June. Major telecom providers Jio Platforms and Bharti Airtel have also partnered with SpaceX to integrate Starlink into their offerings. Lauren Dreyer, Starlink’s VP of Business Operations, expressed enthusiasm for advancing India’s digital vision, particularly in connecting schools and medical facilities in underserved regions. This move aligns with a broader trend of global tech giants expanding their footprint in India, including Google’s $15 billion investment in AI infrastructure and Anthropic and OpenAI’s plans to establish offices in the country.
