SpaceX’s satellite internet service is asking residents in the emirate to pay a Dh285 deposit to reserve a place on the waiting list, with no confirmed date for when the service will become available.
Starlink’s satellite internet service has reached capacity in the UAE, with prospective customers now being directed to a waiting list instead of being able to sign up immediately, according to the company’s order portal.
Some users trying to pre-order the service are being told that “Starlink service is currently at capacity” in their area. They are, however, given the option to pay a deposit to reserve a place on the waiting list and receive a notification when capacity becomes available again.
Residents in areas including Al Majaz in Sharjah and Al Quoz in Dubai reported being unable to sign up for Starlink after the website indicated that the service had reached capacity. Khaleej Times also attempted to place an order and received the same message.
The deposit, listed as “Deposit Due Today”, is Dh285.71 and described on the website as an “estimated tax inclusive total price”. The final amount may be adjusted once the customer’s address has been verified.
Starlink has not provided an estimated timeframe for when service will become available in affected areas.
The company said on its order page: “Please note that we cannot provide an estimated timeframe for service availability,” adding that its teams are working to increase satellite network capacity and expand coverage to more customers worldwide.
The residential plan, designed for household users, is priced at Dh300 per month.
As reported by Khaleej Times last week, Starlink, operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, has received a 10-year General Satellite Services Licence from the UAE’s Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA), clearing the way for its commercial rollout across the country.
The service is expected to cater to individuals, businesses and government entities, while also providing satellite connectivity for the maritime and aviation sectors.
Starlink is intended to complement the UAE’s existing fibre-optic infrastructure by adding a satellite-based broadband option for consumers and organisations.
The capacity constraints reported in parts of Dubai and Sharjah come only months after Starlink’s nationwide launch, suggesting that demand in some areas may currently be outpacing the available capacity of its satellite network.
