Gujarat partners with Starlink to bring High-Speed internet to remote areas

The Gujarat government on Monday exchanged a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Starlink, a subsidiary of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, to provide high-speed satellite-based internet connectivity in remote, border, tribal, and underserved areas of the state. The ceremony was held in Gandhinagar in the presence of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, with the LoI signed between Industries Commissioner P Swaroop and Starlink India Head Prabhakar Jayakumar.

The initiative is part of the state’s Digital Connectivity Mission and other strategic efforts to bridge the digital divide. Under the pilot project, connectivity will be extended to Common Service Centres (CSCs), government schools, district disaster management control rooms, ports, and wildlife sanctuaries , with a focus on tribal districts such as Narmada and Dahod.

The collaboration aims to strengthen public service delivery, education, healthcare, telemedicine, agricultural research, and law enforcement , while enhancing disaster management and coastal security. Smart connectivity will enable online learning in schools, rapid access to healthcare at Primary Health Centres (PHCs), and support government agencies with training and capacity-building programs.

The LoI also seeks to improve connectivity in GIDC industrial parks, highway safety systems, maritime and port operations, and coastal police surveillance . A Joint Working Group comprising representatives from the Gujarat government and Starlink will oversee the project’s implementation.

Although Starlink has secured regulatory approvals for operations across India, state agreements like Gujarat’s enable targeted deployment in areas with limited telecom infrastructure and integration with local public services. Commercial rollout of Starlink in India is expected between late 2025 and early 2026.

This collaboration marks a significant step toward digital inclusion, enhanced security, and reliable internet services for communities that have historically faced connectivity challenges.