Shillong: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said on Wednesday that satellite-based internet services through Starlink will have a “transformative impact” on last-mile connectivity in the state, particularly in remote and underserved regions.
Speaking after witnessing the signing of a Letter of Intent between the Meghalaya government and Starlink India via video conference, Chief Minister Sangma emphasised that connectivity remains a key challenge despite sustained efforts to expand optical fibre networks.
“Expanding connectivity to the last mile continues to be a challenge. While we have been laying optical fibre to reach remote health centres, schools and villages, the process is time-intensive, and time is of the essence,” the Chief Minister said.
He expressed confidence that the partnership would significantly improve access to essential services.
“If this initiative helps save even one life through better healthcare access, enables one child to receive quality education, or enhances the income of a farmer, it will be a meaningful success,” Chief Minister Sangma noted.
The collaboration aligns with Meghalaya’s broader vision of building a $10 billion economy by 2028, with digital infrastructure seen as a critical driver of inclusive growth and economic progress.
Highlighting the state’s ambitions in the technology sector, Chief Minister Sangma said the state government aims to develop Shillong as a hub for IT and IT-enabled services in the Northeast.
He added that adoption of advanced technologies like satellite internet can help Meghalaya “leapfrog traditional limitations” and accelerate development.
He also stressed the urgency of implementation, saying that the immediate goal is to deploy the technology in the most remote and underserved areas at the earliest.
Officials said the partnership is expected to enhance service delivery across sectors such as healthcare, education, governance and disaster management, while also boosting entrepreneurship, skill development and digital inclusion.
Given Meghalaya’s hilly terrain and scattered habitations, satellite-based connectivity is seen as a practical alternative to conventional infrastructure like fibre networks and mobile towers, enabling reliable high-speed internet access across difficult geographies.
(IANS)
