New 10-year licence covers individuals, businesses, government, ships and aircraft.
Abu Dhabi: The UAE has granted Starlink a 10-year licence to provide satellite broadband services across the country, allowing the company to establish, operate and manage a public telecommunications network powered by satellites.
The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority said the General Space Services Licence will enable Starlink to provide high-speed satellite internet services in the UAE once it meets all required regulatory and technical standards.
The licence adds a space-based component to the UAE’s existing digital infrastructure, complementing terrestrial networks such as fibre-optic broadband and 5G connectivity.
Starlink will be authorised to provide satellite internet services to individuals, businesses and government entities, with the licence also covering satellite connectivity for the maritime and aviation sectors.
The authority said the technology will expand the range of connectivity options available across the UAE while strengthening the resilience of the country’s digital infrastructure.
Satellite networks can offer an alternative communication channel when terrestrial infrastructure is unavailable or disrupted, providing critical sectors with an additional layer of connectivity during emergencies and other exceptional situations.
The regulator said the services must comply with strict standards covering security, reliability and consumer protection.
The approval also broadens the UAE’s communications infrastructure beyond traditional fixed-line and mobile networks, as satellite connectivity is increasingly being used to deliver broadband to remote areas and support aircraft, ships and other mobile users.
The authority said diversifying communications technologies would help support the UAE’s digital economy and ensure the country’s infrastructure remains prepared for rapid advances in satellite telecommunications.
The 10-year licence provides Starlink with a formal regulatory framework to expand its satellite broadband services in one of the region’s most digitally connected markets
