Maharashtra on Wednesday became the first Indian state to formally collaborate with billionaire Elon Musk-owned Starlink to deliver satellite-based internet connectivity across remote and underserved regions.

Axar.az informs, citing Indian Ekspress, the Maharashtra government signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Starlink Satellite Communications Private Limited, to provide satellite-based internet services for government institutions, rural communities and critical public infrastructure. This will be subject to Starlink’s regulatory and compliance clearances from the Government of India.

The LOI was signed by Lauren Dreyer, vice-president, Starlink, and Virendra Singh, secretary, Department of Information Technology, Government of Maharashtra, in the presence of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.