Starlink Secures 10-Year UAE Licence: Will It Shake Up the Telecoms Market?

Elon Musk's Starlink has officially secured a 10-year licence to deliver satellite internet services across the UAE, introducing a new alternative in a market traditionally dominated by du and e&. Authorities confirmed that the service will cater to individuals, businesses, government entities, and the maritime and aviation sectors, promising a significant boost to internet speeds.

A package on the Starlink website for UAE customers currently starts at Dh300 per month for a residential service, with the standard hardware kit priced at Dh1,465. However, the platform indicates that the service is currently at capacity in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, allowing interested users to pay a Dh285.71 deposit to join a waiting list.

The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority stated that the licence permits Starlink to operate a public satellite telecoms network and provide satellite broadband throughout the country. Eng Mohammed Yousif Al Ramsi, the regulatory authority's deputy director general, noted that the move aims to expand connectivity, strengthen digital infrastructure, and enhance emergency response capabilities while maintaining a balance with network security.

Despite this new market entry, telecom experts emphasize that Starlink is not a direct substitute for a conventional mobile network operator. Rayad Kamal Ayub, managing director of The Rayad Group, explained that e& and du will remain the primary terrestrial public telecom operators offering fibre, 4G, 5G, and mobile numbering. Instead, Starlink functions as a third national broadband infrastructure option designed for areas lacking traditional signals, such as marine zones, deserts, and disaster areas.

When comparing speeds, Mr Ayub noted that established high-quality fibre in well-covered areas of Dubai and Abu Dhabi generally outperforms Starlink in raw speed, reliability, and capacity. Starlink's primary advantage lies in delivering useful broadband where extending terrestrial infrastructure is costly or impractical.

Priced comparably to other local fixed wireless and broadband offerings, Starlink represents a shift toward affordable mainstream satellite internet. Utilizing low-earth orbit satellites operating at about 550km, Starlink delivers land-based performance typically ranging from 45 to 280 Mbps for downloads, 10 to 30 Mbps for uploads, and 25 to 60 milliseconds of latency, distinguishing it from traditional high-orbit satellites.