Archive · 29 Aug 2026
UAE Grants Starlink 10-Year Licence for Satellite Internet
The UAE has given Starlink permission to provide satellite internet for 10 years.
Starlink is a company owned by Elon Musk.
Satellite internet can connect people and organizations using satellites instead of only cables or mobile networks.
The service may be used by consumers, businesses and government agencies.
It can also support ships, airplanes, energy companies and emergency responders.
The UAE says this will give people more connectivity choices and make communications more reliable.
Starlink must follow the UAE’s rules for security, privacy, technical standards and service quality.
The licence was granted on August 28.
The UAE regulator granted Starlink a 10-year licence on August 28 to provide broadband satellite internet services.
The licence allows Starlink Satellite Communications LLC to establish, operate and manage a public satellite communications network.
Services will support consumers, businesses, government entities, and maritime and aviation connectivity.
The UAE says satellite connectivity will diversify networks, improve resilience and support emergency response.
Starlink must follow UAE rules covering security, spectrum use, service quality, consumer rights and data privacy.
- Who
- The UAE’s Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority granted the licence to Starlink Satellite Communications LLC, a company owned by Elon Musk.
- What
- A 10-year General Space Services Licence to establish, operate and manage a public satellite communications network and provide broadband satellite internet services.
- When
- The licence was granted on August 28; the report was published August 29.
- Where
- The United Arab Emirates.
- Why
- To diversify connectivity options, strengthen network resilience and support services including maritime, aviation, logistics, energy and emergency response.
- Regulator
- Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority
- License holder
- Starlink Satellite Communications LLC
- Licence duration
- 10 years
- Licence type
- General Space Services Licence
- Covered services
- Public satellite communications network and broadband satellite internet
- Potential users
- Consumers, businesses, government entities, maritime operators and aviation sectors
- Compliance requirements
- Security, information infrastructure protection, service quality, reliability, continuity, consumer rights, data privacy and spectrum-use rules