UAE Approves 10-Year Licence for Elon Musk's Starlink to Deliver Satellite Internet

Elon Musk's Starlink has secured a 10-year licence to roll out satellite internet services across the UAE, regulatory officials confirmed on Friday. According to the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), the approval enables Starlink to cater to individual consumers, corporate clients, and government institutions, alongside delivering connectivity solutions for the aviation and maritime industries.

Earlier in March, The National reported that Elon Musk's satellite internet venture was preparing for its UAE rollout. Current packages listed on the Starlink website in the UAE start at Dh300 per month, with a residential setup requiring a standard kit priced at Dh1,465. A recent report also highlighted a smuggling ring funnels Starlink into Iran. Prospective users visiting the portal are currently informed that the service is unavailable in their immediate vicinity, though a deposit of Dh285.71 can be paid to secure a spot on the waiting list.

The TDRA explained that the 'general satellite services licence' grants the company permission to manage and operate a public satellite telecommunications network, delivering satellite broadband across the Emirate. Officials noted the initiative is intended to broaden the range of connectivity options within the UAE and reinforce the nation's digital framework. Furthermore, it aims to bolster service reliability for vital industries and enhance emergency response capabilities while upholding stringent standards for network security, service excellence, and consumer protection.

Eng Mohammed Yousif Al Ramsi, TDRA's deputy director general for the Telecommunication Sector, stated that Starlink's offerings will function within the UAE's established technical and regulatory frameworks to guarantee network safety, service continuity, data privacy, and the safeguarding of consumer rights. These services will adhere to approved regulatory guidelines and require the fulfillment of all mandatory conditions. Mr Ramsi added that the authority's strategy seeks a balance between providing residents and enterprises with advanced connectivity tools and maintaining a secure framework that protects network integrity, user rights, and data security.

This licence establishes Starlink as an officially regulated telecommunications provider in the UAE, subject to the same governance as established domestic operators such as Etisalat by e& and du. It introduces an additional satellite layer to the national digital infrastructure, working alongside existing terrestrial fibre-optic and 5G networks.

Unlike conventional communications satellites stationed at altitudes between 20,000km and 35,000km, Starlink operates thousands of satellites at an approximate height of 550km, a configuration designed to boost internet speeds and decrease latency. Unlike broadband or 5G, satellite internet bypasses the need for high-speed data lines or mobile towers, enabling connectivity in remote locations. In November, it was revealed that Emirates airline would begin equipping its fleet with Starlink starting that month. Across the wider Middle East, Starlink is currently accessible in Qatar, Yemen, Oman, Bahrain, Jordan and Israel.