Panaji: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said the government is committed to harnessing technology to drive digital transformation and improve the lives of citizens.
“The government of Goa is committed to harnessing technology to drive digital transformation and improve the lives of our citizens. This partnership with Starlink is a step towards achieving our vision of a digitally empowered Goa,” Sawant said.
The Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications signed a memorandum of understanding with Starlink Satellite Communications Pvt Ltd to explore connectivity solutions to support digital inclusion, public infrastructure, coastal safety and emergency response capabilities.
Information Technology Minister Rohan Khaunte said the partnership would use technology to improve governance efficiency and public service delivery, and help bridge the digital divide.
Starlink Satellite Communications Private Limited, the Indian entity for SpaceX’s satellite internet services, has indicated interest in piloting satellite broadband connectivity at locations with limited terrestrial networks, including government schools, healthcare facilities and disaster management centres.
The collaboration will also look at enhancing emergency preparedness, capacity building through training, and exploring affordable tariff structures for socially beneficial use cases. Connectivity solutions for public infrastructure linked to tourism and coastal services will also be explored.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Sawant, Khaunte, Chief Secretary V Candavelou, DITE&C Director Kabir Shirgaonkar, OSD to the minister Neville Noronha and other senior officials. Starlink was represented by Prabhakar Jayakumar, head, Starlink India.
