Meghalaya Govt, Starlink Ink MoU to Launch Satcom Services Pilot

Starlink, which is run by Elon Musk, and the government of Meghalaya have both signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU). Under the terms of the deal, Starlink will be able to test out satcom services in outlying parts of the state. In order to roll out the satellite broadband service in sectors including agriculture, education, and healthcare, the state government will collaborate with the satcom operator.

The chief minister of Meghalaya, Conrad Sangma, wrote on X that it is still difficult to link the state's most rural towns, health centres, and schools. To help close this gap, Meghalaya has partnered to bring cutting-edge satellite connectivity technologies. Patients' lives will be saved as a result of increased access to healthcare, students' educational chances will be enhanced, and farmers' and rural communities' livelihoods will be improved.

Starlink Growing its Presence India

The technology's ability to consistently provide high-speed internet across the state will be tested in the pilot before a wider expansion is considered. The satcom operator and the Gujarat government inked a letter of intent (LoI) a month ago to provide border and isolated areas of the state with internet access via satellite. Before this, in November 2025, Starlink had already signed an agreement with the government of Maharashtra to provide satcom services to state institutions.

Importantly, Starlink has been given the go-ahead to begin operations in India by IN-SPACe. Both the telecom department and TRAI have given it their stamp of approval in 2025. Nevertheless, the company has not been granted satellite spectrum; hence, it has not yet begun commercial services in the country. According to Sangma, the state administration is actively pursuing the goal of transforming Shillong into a leading IT and IT hub in Northeast India by establishing a robust digital ecosystem.

Starlink Mandated to Store Data Locally

Concerning data security, the Indian government has ordered the business to keep all user information in-house and to stop using third-party gateways to direct user traffic. According to earlier estimates, the user terminal from the company is anticipated to cost approximately INR 33,000 per year, with a monthly subscription costing roughly INR 3,000.

New services, such as direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity, cannot be offered unless the company receives fresh approval from IN-SPACe. On the other hand, the business needs to establish ground infrastructure, such as earth stations, and finish all security compliance requirements. Twenty gateways, or earth stations, would be established in the cities of Noida, Chennai, and Navi Mumbai by the Elon Musk-led firm. Out of these, three locations are currently being built.