Policy · Government, Defense & Space

Gujarat signs LoI with Starlink for satcom

By Startup Enthusiast · 9 February 2026

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Gujarat government signed a letter of intent with Starlink to deliver satellite internet in remote, border, and tribal areas

Maharashtra signed a similar LoI months earlier; Starlink received telecom department and TRAI approvals in 2025

Starlink needs fresh IN-SPACe approval for direct-to-device connectivity services

The Gujarat government signed a letter of intent (LoI) with Starlink for satellite communication (satcom) services.
The LoI aims to provide high-speed satellite internet in remote, border, tribal, and underserved areas of Gujarat.
The collaboration supports e-governance, common service centres, schools, primary health centres, telemedicine, disaster management, ports, wildlife sanctuaries, and key government institutions.
A joint working group of Gujarat government and Starlink officials will be formed to implement the partnership.
Maharashtra signed a similar LoI with Starlink months earlier.
SpaceX got IN-SPACe clearance for Starlink commercial operations in India in July last year.
Starlink received telecom department and TRAI approvals in 2025.
Starlink needs fresh IN-SPACe approval for direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity services, which allow satellites to communicate directly with smartphones and IoT trackers.

Indian regulations mandate Starlink store all user data locally and not use foreign gateways for routing user traffic.
Starlink can support onboarding up to 20 lakh users in India with existing capacity.
Starlink user terminal is priced around ₹33,000 annually, with a monthly subscription of about ₹3,000.
Starlink plans to set up 20 earth stations or gateways across Noida, Chennai, and Navi Mumbai; three are already under construction.
Spectrum for satcom services has not yet been allocated; telecom operators push for auction while Starlink prefers administrative allocation, and the Indian government favours Starlink on this issue.

Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX.
It provides high-speed, low-latency broadband internet via a network of low-earth-orbit satellites.
Starlink serves residential, business, and government customers globally.
In India, Starlink has partnered with Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio to offer satcom services to customers.

Starlink will set up 20 earth stations or gateways across Noida, Chennai, and Navi Mumbai.
Starlink needs fresh IN-SPACe approval for direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity services.