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Gujarat signs Starlink deal to expand rural broadband
The Gujarat state government has signed a Letter of Intent with SpaceX’s Starlink to deploy high-speed satellite internet across the state’s most remote regions. The strategic partnership aims to bridge the digital divide in areas where traditional fiber and cellular infrastructure are economically or geographically unviable.
In a major boost to India’s Digital Village ambitions, the Gujarat government announced on Monday that it has entered into a formal agreement with Starlink, the satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX, to bring broadband connectivity to underserved communities.
Signed during a high-level meeting in Gandhinagar, the LoI positions Gujarat as a first mover in adopting Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite technology to provide ubiquitous internet service. The initiative will prioritize the Rann of Kutch, tribal belts in eastern Gujarat, and isolated coastal fishing villages — areas that have historically struggled with inconsistent or absent broadband access.
Bridging the “Last Mile” with LEO Technology
Unlike traditional geostationary satellites that orbit at roughly 35,000 km above Earth, Starlink satellites orbit at about 550 km. This proximity drastically reduces latency, enabling real-time applications such as:
- Tele-education: Bringing virtual classrooms to rural schools.
- Digital healthcare: Enabling high-definition video consultations in remote primary health centers.
- Disaster response: Providing resilient communication during cyclones, floods and network outages.
Competitive landscape: Satellite internet in India
The Gujarat-Starlink agreement marks a turning point in India’s satellite broadband market, projected by industry analysts to reach around $1.9 billion by 2030. Starlink now competes against other satellite and hybrid providers:
| Provider | Technology | Focus | Regulatory Status (Feb 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starlink | LEO (~550 km) | Rural, consumer & border access | LoI with Gujarat; awaiting GMPCS license |
| OneWeb | LEO (~1,200 km) | B2B, enterprise, government | Fully licensed (GMPCS) |
| JioSpaceFiber | MEO (~8,000 km) | Mass market & backhaul | Fully licensed (GMPCS) |
Strategic importance for Gujarat’s economy
Officials emphasized the agreement’s broader significance beyond social welfare, highlighting economic empowerment. High-speed internet for salt pan workers (Agariyas) in Kutch and dairy cooperatives in interior districts is expected to integrate these micro-economies into the digital marketplace.
“Connectivity is the new electricity,” said a senior official from the Gujarat Department of Science & Technology. “This LoI with Starlink aims to ensure that a child in a far-flung border village has the same digital opportunities as a student in Ahmedabad.” Domain B
