UAE Grants Starlink 10-Year Licence for Satellite Internet Services

The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority has granted Starlink Satellite Communications LLC a 10-year General Space Services Licence, authorising the company to establish, operate and manage a public satellite communications network and provide broadband satellite internet services in the UAE.

The licence adds a satellite-based connectivity layer to the UAE's existing telecommunications infrastructure, complementing terrestrial fibre-optic and 5G networks.

Services are intended to support individual users, businesses and government entities, together with satellite connectivity for the maritime and aviation sectors.

TDRA said satellite connectivity can help diversify internet-access options and strengthen the resilience and continuity of the UAE's communications infrastructure. The authority specifically identified sectors including maritime and aviation transport, energy, logistics and emergency response as areas that may benefit from expanded satellite connectivity.

Satellite systems can be particularly relevant where conventional fixed or mobile infrastructure is unavailable, difficult to deploy or requires additional redundancy. The licence therefore represents more than the introduction of another consumer broadband option. It adds an additional communications channel to the UAE's wider national digital infrastructure.

Starlink's UAE operations will remain subject to the regulatory and technical requirements established by TDRA. The UAE telecommunications sector operates under a formal licensing framework, with TDRA responsible for issuing and supervising licences for regulated telecommunications activities. TDRA states that telecommunications licences may be issued for ten-year periods depending on the type of regulated activity involved.

The regulator described Starlink's entry as part of its approach to maintaining a flexible regulatory environment capable of accommodating emerging technologies while expanding connectivity options and encouraging competition.

The development comes as the UAE continues to invest in digital infrastructure and telecommunications capacity. In August 2026, TDRA also renewed the public telecommunications licences of e& and du for a further 20 years, providing a long-term regulatory framework for continued investment in networks, artificial intelligence and future digital technologies.

The addition of satellite broadband therefore complements an existing communications environment built around extensive fibre, mobile and 5G infrastructure.

NUR Advisory Note

The Starlink licence illustrates an important feature of the UAE business environment. New technologies may create significant commercial opportunities, but market entry into regulated sectors still depends on obtaining the appropriate sector-specific approvals.

Companies entering areas such as telecommunications, financial services, virtual assets, healthcare or other regulated activities should therefore distinguish between obtaining a standard commercial licence and securing the additional regulatory authorisations required to conduct the proposed activity.

For businesses considering activities involving satellite communications or other regulated telecommunications services, the appropriate TDRA licensing and technical requirements should be assessed as part of the market-entry structure from the outset.