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The licence allows the company to install, operate and manage a public telecommunications network for delivering internet services across the country. Federal Administrative Decision No. 13/2024, issued by the TDRA chairman following board approval, builds upon earlier decisions that established the satellite licensing framework, fees and template. The authorisation runs through June 2034 and forms part of the authority’s structured approach to regulating emerging connectivity technologies while preserving the established market framework.
This step reflects the TDRA grants Starlink license to provide satellite internet services in UAE as part of its broader mandate under Federal Decree-Law No. 3 of 2003. The authority’s satellite services licensing guide requires applicants to secure no-objection certificates from the UAE Space Agency and security clearances before final approval. Such requirements ensure that all licensed operations align with national priorities in telecommunications development.
Starlink’s licence initially authorised maritime satellite internet services before subsequent updates expanded its scope, according to regulatory documents compiled by Lexis Middle East. The development follows similar approvals granted to the company in Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, Jordan and Yemen, The National reported. Residential and enterprise packages became commercially available in March 2026 with monthly fees starting at Dh230 and hardware kits priced at Dh1,545 including delivery.
The TDRA has maintained restrictions on certain mobility features such as in-motion land use to comply with existing national telecommunications rules, a later authority statement confirmed. Sector participants have urged the regulator to authorise compliant resellers that can serve enterprise, maritime, energy and government clients through locally supported models. Jimmy Grewal of Elcome told The National that such measures would streamline procurement while upholding all regulatory standards.
Starlink operates as an additional licensed provider alongside the terrestrial duopoly of e& and du without displacing their fixed and mobile services, a Lexology review of UAE telecoms regulation found. The company’s low-Earth orbit network delivers lower latency and higher speeds suitable for remote locations, maritime operations and aviation connectivity already in use on Emirates and flydubai flights. This infrastructure complements rather than competes directly with ground-based networks in the national market.
All operations under the licence remain subject to ongoing compliance with UAE laws governing public interest, safety and national security, the federal decision stated. The licensee must secure additional permits for any physical infrastructure and adhere to type-approval processes for customer equipment. These safeguards allow the TDRA to maintain oversight as the service scales to meet demand in underserved areas.
