A step towards wider digital access was taken as the Gujarat government moved to test satellite-based internet services across hard-to-reach parts of the state, focusing on governance, education and public safety.
The Government of Gujarat on February 9 signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Starlink, a subsidiary of Elon Musk-owned SpaceX, to pilot satellite internet connectivity in remote, border and underserved regions. The LoI was exchanged in Gandhinagar in the presence of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi, following a preliminary meeting held in December 2025 with Starlink Operations SpaceX Vice President Lauren Dreyer.
Under the pilot programme, high-speed satellite internet will be deployed to connect Common Service Centres, e-Governance facilities, government schools, primary health centres, district disaster management control rooms, ports and wildlife sanctuary areas, the state government said.
“This will prove to be a milestone in expanding the state’s digital services and will further accelerate the progress of e-Governance,” Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said.
The rollout will prioritise tribal regions and Aspirational Districts such as Narmada and Dahod. The government said the initiative will also strengthen connectivity for police outposts, disaster management centres, wildlife monitoring systems and agricultural research facilities.
As part of the plan, smart connectivity will be extended to government schools and tele-medicine centres to support faster access to education and healthcare services. Joint training and capacity-building programmes for government departments, schools and disaster response teams are also planned under the pilot.
To ensure smooth execution, a Joint Working Group with representatives from the state government and Starlink will be formed. The group will oversee implementation and work towards building modern and reliable digital infrastructure across Gujarat.
The LoI also includes proposals to enhance connectivity in GIDC industrial parks, highway safety systems, maritime and port operations, and coastal police units, further expanding the scope of satellite-based internet services in the state.
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