Prime Highlights:

• The Gujarat government signed a Letter of Intent with Starlink to deliver satellite-based high-speed internet to remote, border, tribal, and underserved regions of the state.
• The initiative aims to improve digital access for public services, including education, healthcare, disaster management, and governance, aligning with the vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047.”

Key Facts:

• A joint working group comprising the Gujarat government and Starlink representatives will oversee implementation and ensure smooth execution of the project.
• Starlink entered the Indian market in mid-2025 after securing a Unified Licence from the Department of Telecommunications and approval from IN-SPACe, enabling nationwide satellite internet services.

Background:

The Gujarat government partnered with Starlink, a satellite internet company owned by Elon Musk, to improve internet access in remote and underserved areas of the state. The government signed a Letter of Intent with the SpaceX unit to provide fast satellite internet to places with poor or limited telecom services.

Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel shared the update on the social media platform X, saying the agreement aims to strengthen digital access across Gujarat. He said the initiative will help connect remote, border, tribal and underserved areas where traditional internet services remain unreliable or unavailable.

According to the state government, the project will improve the delivery of public services in districts with limited connectivity. Patel said reliable internet access will support education and healthcare outreach, improve disaster preparedness and security systems and make government services more accessible to citizens.

To ensure smooth execution, the government will form a joint working group with representatives from Gujarat and Starlink. The group will monitor implementation and align the project with the broader vision of “Viksit Bharat 2047,” Patel said.

Gujarat joins other Indian states that have moved ahead with Starlink partnerships. Last month, the Goa government signed a memorandum of understanding with Starlink to explore satellite broadband for digital connectivity, disaster response, and governance services. Maharashtra became the first state to sign a Letter of Intent with Starlink in November 2025. The state aims to provide high-speed internet to rural and tribal areas.

Starlink officially entered the Indian market in mid-2025 after getting approval from the central government. The company received a Unified Licence from the Department of Telecommunications in June 2025 and approval from space regulator IN-SPACe in July. These approvals allowed Starlink to provide satellite internet services across India.