Gujarat signs LoI with Elon Musk-owned SpaceX’s Starlink to pilot satellite internet in remote, tribal areas

On February 9, the Gujarat government entered into a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Starlink, the satellite internet division of Elon Musk’s SpaceX. This collaboration aims to introduce satellite-based internet connectivity in the state's remote, border, and underserved areas. The agreement was formalized in Gandhinagar, with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi present, following a preliminary meeting in December 2025 with SpaceX's Vice President of Operations, Lauren Dreyer. The pilot program will enable high-speed satellite internet to reach various facilities, including Common Service Centres (CSCs), e-Governance hubs, government schools, primary health centres (PHCs), and district disaster management control rooms. The Chief Minister emphasized that this initiative marks a significant step forward in enhancing digital services across Gujarat, particularly in tribal regions and Aspirational Districts such as Narmada and Dahod. The initiative aims not only to bolster service delivery in education and healthcare through smart connectivity but also to strengthen the infrastructure for police outposts, disaster management centres, wildlife monitoring, and agricultural research. Plans include offering joint training and capacity-building programs for government agencies, educational institutions, and disaster response teams. To ensure effective implementation, a Joint Working Group comprising members from both the state government and Starlink will be established. This group will oversee the seamless integration of connectivity and modern digital infrastructure throughout Gujarat, with additional plans to improve connectivity in GIDC industrial parks, highway safety systems, maritime operations, and coastal police units.