The United Arab Emirates has granted Starlink a 10-year General Satellite Services Licence, allowing the company to establish, operate and manage a public satellite telecommunications network in the country.
The licence authorises Starlink to provide satellite broadband internet services to customers across the UAE. The service will be available to individuals, businesses and government entities, expanding access to satellite-based connectivity across different sectors.
Starlink, owned by Elon Musk, operates a large network of satellites designed to deliver high-speed internet connectivity in areas where conventional broadband infrastructure may be limited or difficult to deploy.
The UAE Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) issued the licence under the country’s approved regulatory and technical frameworks. The company must meet all required conditions and regulatory requirements as part of its authorisation to operate.
The licence also covers satellite connectivity services for the maritime and aviation industries. This could support communications for vessels, aircraft and other users that require reliable internet connections while operating away from traditional terrestrial networks.
The approval marks a further expansion of satellite communications services in the UAE as the country continues to develop its digital infrastructure and connectivity capabilities.
Starlink has increasingly expanded its presence in international markets, offering satellite internet through low-Earth-orbit satellites. Unlike traditional satellite systems that operate at much higher orbits, low-Earth-orbit networks are designed to reduce signal delays and improve internet performance.
For UAE consumers and businesses, the licence provides a regulatory framework for Starlink’s satellite broadband services and sets the conditions under which the company can operate in the market.
Government agencies could also use satellite connectivity in locations where fixed or mobile networks are unavailable or where additional communications capacity is required. Maritime and aviation operators may similarly benefit from satellite internet services during operations beyond the reach of conventional networks.
The UAE has invested heavily in telecommunications and digital technologies, with authorities seeking to strengthen the country’s position as a regional technology and connectivity hub.
The 10-year licence gives Starlink a long-term regulatory basis for its operations while placing its services under the oversight of the TDRA.
The company will be required to continue meeting the technical and regulatory conditions established by the authority throughout the licence period. The approval therefore opens the way for Starlink to expand satellite broadband services across consumer, commercial, government, maritime and aviation markets in the UAE.
