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The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority issued Licence No 2 of 2024 to Starlink Satellite Communications Services LLC effective from 12 June 2024 through 11 June 2034, a regulatory document from the TDRA showed. The authorisation permits the company to install, operate and manage a public telecommunications network delivering satellite internet services across the UAE. The licence initially covered maritime operations before an amendment extended it to aeronautical services, setting the stage for broader deployment.
Starlink made its consumer services available in the UAE on 18 March 2026, according to the company’s website, offering residential plans starting at Dhs230 per month with a lower-tier Residential Lite option at the same price point. Customers must purchase hardware kits beginning at Dhs1,099, with the standard residential kit priced at Dhs1,545 including shipping that arrives within one to two weeks. The service leverages a constellation of low-Earth orbit satellites to supply high-speed connectivity with reduced latency in locations where traditional infrastructure is limited or unavailable.
A P&S Intelligence assessment projected the regional satellite internet market to expand from $450 million in 2025 to $1.057 billion by 2032 at a compound annual growth rate of roughly 13 per cent. Starlink has secured comparable approvals in Qatar, Yemen, Oman, Bahrain, Jordan and Israel, where the service supports both consumer and enterprise applications, Gulf Business reported. The UAE’s framework positions the technology as a complement to existing networks operated by Etisalat and du rather than a direct replacement.
The licence requires Starlink to comply with all TDRA directions and other applicable regulations concerning public interest, safety and national security, the authority’s published document stated. Operators seeking renewal must submit applications at least 180 days before expiry, after which the TDRA evaluates compliance before granting any further 10-year term. This structured oversight forms part of the UAE’s regulatory approach to emerging telecommunications technologies.
Emirates and flydubai have integrated Starlink for in-flight Wi-Fi, the carriers said in separate announcements, with Emirates targeting full fleet deployment by mid-2027 beginning with its Boeing 777 aircraft. The aviation adoption preceded the terrestrial launch and built on the licence’s aeronautical expansion. In Kuwait, Starlink operates through authorised reseller Sama X under a similar regional model that emphasises local compliance and support infrastructure.
