The licence: 10 years, from 28 August 2026
The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) granted Starlink a 10-year licence on 28 August 2026 to operate and manage a public satellite communications network in the UAE. The authorisation, described as a General Space Services Licence, runs to 2036 and cleared the way for the commercial launch on 3 September.
What the licence covers
- Homes and businesses: individual consumers, companies and government bodies can be served.
- Ships and aircraft: the licence extends to maritime and aviation connectivity.
- Backup connectivity: the TDRA described the satellite layer as support for business continuity, energy sites, logistics hubs and crisis response if ground networks are disrupted.
What it does not change
Starlink must operate within the UAE’s established regulatory and technical frameworks. The licence does not by itself make Starlink a mobile network operator or let it sell ordinary mobile subscriptions, which would fall under separate numbering and spectrum rules. The UAE already has extensive fibre and 5G coverage, so the satellite service is positioned as a complement for remote sites, mobility and backup rather than a replacement.
For what the service costs, see our Starlink UAE price guide. To see how it compares with e& and du, read the comparison.
