Policy · Mobility & Logistics

Meghalaya signs pact with Starlink for satellite pilot

By Startup Enthusiast · 2 April 2026

What they do

Starlink provides global satellite internet services using a large constellation of low-earth orbit satellites

The Meghalaya government signed an MoU with Starlink to test high-speed connectivity in remote areas

This follows similar agreements with Gujarat and Maharashtra as Starlink prepares for commercial launch in India

The Meghalaya government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Starlink for a satellite communications pilot.
The pilot aims to provide high-speed internet to remote areas focusing on healthcare, education, and agriculture.
Chief Minister Conrad Sangma highlighted the initiative as a way to bridge the digital connectivity gap.
The state also plans to develop a Shillong IT hub to support the North-East India digital ecosystem.
An Economic Times report noted the pilot tests internet reliability before any wider rollout occurs.
Starlink has received clearance from IN-SPACe and telecom approvals from TRAI in 2025.
Commercial services await final spectrum allocation and 2025 approvals from IN-SPACe and the telecom department, with no services currently available to the public.
Starlink is constructing three earth station sites out of a planned twenty across Noida, Chennai, and Navi Mumbai.

This agreement follows a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Gujarat for remote and border area connectivity.
A previous pact with Maharashtra in November 2025 focused on providing satcom for government institutions.
Starlink must comply with local data security mandates requiring user data storage within India.

Starlink operates a network of satellites to deliver broadband internet access globally.
The company is building ground infrastructure including earth stations to manage signal traffic.
Future regulatory approval from IN-SPACe is needed for direct-to-device (D2D) satellite connections.
Pricing estimates suggest a ₹33,000 annual terminal cost and a ₹3,000 monthly subscription fee.
The business model relies on selling hardware terminals and recurring monthly service subscriptions.

Starlink awaits final spectrum allocation to begin commercial operations in India.
The company seeks IN-SPACe approval for direct-to-device satellite technology.