Under the LOI between the Gujarat government and Elon Musk’s company Starlink, high-speed satellite internet will be provided in remote areas. This will strengthen education, health, e-governance and disaster management services.
Gandhinagar. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has described strong digital governance as the backbone of the country’s economy to realize the vision of Developed India@2047. The Gujarat government has taken an important and far-reaching step towards taking this resolution of Digital India to the grassroots level.
Exchange of LOI between Gujarat Government and Starlink
The Gujarat government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel, has exchanged a Letter of Intent (LOI) for mutual cooperation with Starlink Satellite Communications Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of Elon Musk’s SpaceX. This LOI was concluded in a program organized in Gandhinagar on Monday.
High speed satellite internet connectivity in remote areas
Under this LOI, high speed satellite based internet services will be provided in remote, remote and weak telecom network areas of the state. This will give new impetus to digital connectivity missions and strategic initiatives.
Which areas will be included in the pilot project
The proposed pilot project under LOI plans to connect Common Service Centers (CSC), e-governance services, government schools, district disaster management control rooms, ports and wildlife sanctuary areas through satellite internet.
Promoting digital inclusion in tribal and aspirational districts
This LOI will strengthen digital inclusion in aspirational districts like Narmada, Dahod and tribal dominated districts of the state. This will strengthen the connectivity of police outposts, disaster management centres, wildlife monitoring and agricultural research centres.
Education, health and tele-medicine will benefit
This initiative will improve education facilities in the schools of the state through smart connectivity. At the same time, health services and tele-medicine facilities in Primary Health Centers (PHC) will be fast and accessible.
Joint Training Program for Government Departments
In collaboration with the State Government and Starlink, joint training programs will also be organized in future for various government agencies, departments, schools and disaster response teams, which will strengthen digital capacity building.
Formation of Joint Working Group
For effective implementation of the LOI, a joint working group of representatives from the State Government and Starlink will be formed, which will ensure seamless and easy connectivity.
LOI exchange ceremony in Gandhinagar
This LOI exchange ceremony was held in Gandhinagar in the presence of Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel and Deputy Chief Minister Shri Harsh Sanghvi. On behalf of the State Government, Industries Commissioner Shri P. Swarup and Head of Starlink India Shri Prabhakar Jayakumar exchanged the LOI.
Strong connectivity even in industrial and security areas
The LOI also includes provisions for developing robust digital networks for GIDC Industrial Parks, Highway Safety System, Maritime Port Connectivity and Coastal Police Operations.
Senior officers were present
On this occasion, Chief Secretary Shri M.K. Das, Additional Chief Secretary of Industries Department, Smt. Mamta Verma, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Mr. Sanjeev Kumar, Additional Principal Secretary, Dr. Vikrant Pandey, Secretary of Science and Technology Department, Smt. P. Bharti along with senior officials of the State Government and Starlink were present.