Gujarat Exchanges LoI with Starlink for High-Speed Internet Connectivity | 12 Feb 2026

Why in News?

The Government of Gujarat signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Starlink, a subsidiary of Elon Musk's SpaceX, to expand high-speed satellite internet connectivity across the state. 

Key Points: 

• Signatories: The document was exchanged in Gandhinagar between State Industries Commissioner P. Swaroop and Starlink India Head Prabhakar Jayakumar, in the presence of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel and Deputy CM Harsh Sanghavi. 
• Target Areas: The initiative specifically focuses on remote, border, tribal, and underserved regions where traditional telecom infrastructure is limited or difficult to deploy. 
• Priority Districts: Special emphasis is placed on "Aspirational Districts" such as Narmada and Dahod. 
• Pilot Project Scope: The initial phase aims to connect key public infrastructure, including: 
  • Education: State schools for smart classrooms. 
  • Healthcare: Primary Health Centres (PHCs) and telemedicine services. 
  • Security: Coastal police outposts and highway safety systems. 
  • Public Services: Common Service Centres (CSCs) and e-Governance hubs. 
  • Logistics & Environment: Ports, GIDC industrial parks, and wildlife sanctuaries.  
• Joint Working Group: A collaborative team comprising representatives from the Gujarat government and Starlink will be established to oversee the pilot assessments and coordinate implementation. 
• Regulatory Standing: While Starlink has been issued an LoI, final commercial rollout remains subject to licensing and security requirements from India's central authorities (DoT/IN-SPACe).  
• Significance: This strategic move is part of Gujarat’s Digital Connectivity Mission aimed at bridging the digital divide where terrestrial telecom networks are weak or unviable due to geography or cost.