UAE grants Starlink 10-year satellite internet licence

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TL;DR:

The UAE has granted Elon Musk’s Starlink a 10-year licence to provide satellite internet services across the country, expanding connectivity options for consumers, businesses, government entities and sectors such as aviation and maritime. The approval strengthens the UAE’s digital infrastructure by adding low-Earth-orbit satellite broadband alongside fibre and 5G networks, with the regulator highlighting network resilience, business continuity and wider access as key benefits.

Article:

The UAE has granted Elon Musk’s Starlink a 10-year licence to provide satellite broadband services nationwide, giving SpaceX’s internet business a formal route into one of the Middle East’s most digitally connected markets. The move adds satellite connectivity to the UAE’s existing fibre and 5G infrastructure, with a focus on network resilience, remote access and critical industries.

The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) said the General Space Services Licence allows Starlink Satellite Communications LLC to establish, operate and manage a public satellite communications network. Services can extend to individuals, businesses and government entities, as well as maritime and aviation users.

Majed Sultan Al Mesmar, Director General of TDRA, said advanced satellite internet would “expand connectivity options, enhance network resilience and business continuity.” The regulator said the licence also supports competition while keeping Starlink subject to UAE rules covering security, data privacy, spectrum use, reliability and consumer protection.

Starlink relies on a constellation of low-Earth-orbit satellites rather than terrestrial towers or fibre lines. Its satellites operate at roughly 550km above Earth, compared with around 20,000km to 35,000km for many traditional communications satellites, helping reduce latency and improve broadband performance.

For UAE consumers, Starlink’s website has advertised residential plans starting at Dh300 a month, with standard hardware priced at Dh1,465, although availability remains subject to rollout and regulatory requirements.

The 10-year approval strengthens Starlink’s footprint in the Gulf and gives the UAE another connectivity layer for sectors such as aviation, maritime transport, energy, logistics and emergency response. More broadly, it signals the country’s push to combine terrestrial and space-based infrastructure as demand for resilient, always-on connectivity grows.