DUBAI: UAE residents now have another broadband option after Starlink received a 10-year license to provide satellite internet across the country.
The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority granted the licence to Starlink Satellite Communications LLC on August 28, 2026.
The approval allows the company, which is part of SpaceX, to build, operate and manage a public satellite communications network in the UAE.
Licence covers homes, companies and transport
The TDRA announcement confirms that Starlink may offer broadband services to individual customers, businesses and government departments.
The license also covers satellite connections for ships and aircraft.
Other sectors that could benefit include logistics, energy, emergency response and transport.
Starlink uses thousands of satellites in low Earth orbit to provide internet access.
A small satellite dish installed at the customer’s location communicates with the satellites instead of depending entirely on underground fibre cables or nearby mobile towers.
Starlink adds another internet option
Starlink will not replace the UAE’s existing fiber, 4G and 5G networks.
Instead, it will add a satellite-based connection that may be useful in deserts, offshore locations, temporary work sites and other areas where a normal wired connection is difficult to install.
It may also provide a backup connection for companies and government offices when their main network is unavailable.
Residents in Dubai and Abu Dhabi with reliable fibre connections may not necessarily receive faster service through Starlink.
Its main benefit is the ability to reach locations that have limited access to terrestrial networks.
How much could Starlink cost?
Starlink’s official UAE service-plan page currently advertises its residential package at AED300 per month.
According to The National, the standard equipment kit is priced at around AED1,465.
The kit normally includes the satellite dish, router, cables and mounting base.
However, availability depends on the customer’s service address.
Starlink’s website reportedly lists Dubai and Abu Dhabi as being at capacity in some locations.
Customers in affected areas may be asked to pay a AED285.71 deposit to join a waiting list.
Prices, deposits and equipment charges can change, so customers should check the total amount before placing an order.
How residents can check availability
Residents interested in the service can visit the Starlink UAE website.
Enter the complete home or business address in the availability field.
The website will show whether service is available, whether the address must join a waiting list and how much the equipment and monthly subscription will cost.
Customers should also check whether their landlord or building management allows the satellite dish to be installed.
The dish normally requires an open and unobstructed view of the sky.
What UAE residents should know
The TDRA license means Starlink is now a regulated satellite broadband provider in the UAE.
However, it does not mean every address has immediate capacity or that Starlink will operate as a normal mobile-phone provider.
Residents should check their exact address through Starlink, review the installation requirements and compare the full cost with existing fibre or wireless home internet packages before ordering.
