UAE grants Starlink 10-year licence for satellite broadband services

MUMBAI: Starlink has got the green light to reach for the skies and bring the UAE along for the ride. The UAE has granted Starlink Satellite Communications LLC a 10-year licence to provide satellite broadband internet services, giving Elon Musk’s company regulatory clearance to operate a public satellite communications network in the country.

The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) issued the General Space Services Licence on August 28, allowing Starlink to establish, operate and manage its network. The service will add satellite connectivity to the UAE’s existing fibre-optic and 5G infrastructure.

The licence opens the door for Starlink to serve individuals, businesses and government entities, while also supporting connectivity across the maritime and aviation sectors. The technology could additionally find applications in areas such as energy, logistics and emergency response.

For the UAE, the move is less about replacing existing networks and more about adding another layer of connectivity. TDRA said satellite broadband could expand connectivity options, strengthen telecommunications resilience and help maintain service continuity during emergencies or in situations where additional connectivity is required.

Majed Sultan Al Mesmar, Director General of TDRA, said the licence strengthens the UAE’s telecommunications sector and reflects the country’s focus on advanced technology, innovation and investment.

He added that satellite internet could improve network resilience and business continuity while supporting the UAE’s ambition to become a regional and global hub for telecommunications and the digital economy.

The approval also sits within the UAE’s wider framework for emerging technologies and aligns with the UAE Digital Agenda and the “We the UAE 2031” vision.

Starlink’s operations, however, will come with regulatory strings attached. The company must comply with UAE requirements covering security, information infrastructure protection, service quality, reliability, continuity, consumer rights and data privacy.

It will also have to follow spectrum-use rules and technical coordination requirements set by the relevant authorities.

The TDRA said its approach is designed to make room for emerging technologies without compromising standards around security, reliability and consumer protection.

For Starlink, the UAE licence adds another market to its satellite connectivity footprint. For the UAE, it puts another piece of infrastructure in orbit, quite literally as the country looks to build a more resilient and technology-driven communications ecosystem.