The Goa government on Wednesday entered into a formal partnership with Starlink by signing a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at expanding high-speed satellite broadband services across parts of the state that currently suffer from limited or nonexistent terrestrial network coverage. The initiative is intended to strengthen digital infrastructure in hard-to-reach and underserved regions of Goa.
Under the agreement, the collaboration with the Elon Musk-owned satellite communications firm will prioritise connectivity for critical public institutions such as government schools, healthcare centres, and disaster management facilities. Officials said the focus would be on ensuring reliable and resilient internet access in locations where conventional broadband networks are either weak or entirely unavailable.
The MoU was signed between the Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications (DITE&C) and Starlink in the presence of Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, IT, Electronics and Communications Minister Rohan Khaunte, and Chief Secretary V Candavelou, along with several other senior government officials. Starlink was represented at the signing ceremony by its India head, Prabhakar Jayakumar.
As part of the agreement, both sides will explore cooperation in multiple areas, including improving overall digital connectivity in the state, strengthening emergency response systems, enhancing disaster preparedness, and supporting various smart governance initiatives. Officials said the partnership is expected to play a key role in modernising public service delivery through advanced technology.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the state government is committed to using technology as a driver of digital transformation and inclusive development. He described the collaboration with Starlink as an important milestone in Goa’s efforts to build a digitally empowered ecosystem that improves access to services and enhances the quality of life for citizens.
Minister Rohan Khaunte said the initiative would help bridge the digital divide by extending reliable internet access to remote and underserved communities. He added that improved connectivity would make governance more efficient, transparent, and responsive, while also strengthening Goa’s position as a destination for investment, tourism, and skilled talent.
According to officials, Starlink has expressed interest in launching pilot projects to test satellite-based connectivity solutions in selected remote areas of the state. The partnership will also look at measures to improve emergency preparedness, conduct capacity-building and training programmes, and evaluate affordable tariff models for socially beneficial and public-interest use cases.
