Late last week, the UAE’s Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) granted Starlink a 10-year public-network licence. That means that SpaceX’s local subsidiary, Starlink Satellite Communications LLC, can now run and sell Starlink services across the country, including to homes businesses, the UAE government, as well as ships and aircraft based in the nation.
Starlink has been advertising UAE residential kits since March, in a bid to get customers equipped ahead of official approval. The license issued on the 28th of August finally approves that service for customer use, meaning that those with Dishies in hand can get them turned on immediately, while others can go pick them up and get a plan activated today.
For the time being, SpaceX is only offering its regular Starlink plans in the UAE, so no mobile coverage. It is satellite broadband, not a third mobile operator like e& or du.
What the Licence Covers
TDRA said the grant adds a space-based layer to national digital infrastructure, meant to widen internet options, harden network resilience, and support maritime transport, aviation, energy, logistics and emergency response.
Director-General Majed Sultan Al Mesmar called it a significant addition to the UAE’s telecoms sector.
The introduction of advanced satellite internet services will expand connectivity options, enhance network resilience and business continuity.
Services sit under UAE rules on network security, service quality, consumer rights, data privacy, and spectrum coordination.
Kits on Sale, Cities on a Waitlist
SpaceX opened the Starlink UAE store back in March of 2026 for residential orders, with packages starting around Dh230 a month and a Standard kit at about Dh1,545 including shipping. Today, the updated pricing now lists basic residential service at Dh300 a month, with the Standard kit available for Dh1,465.
It seems that Starlink adoption in the UAE took off quite quickly, with the two major cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi already at capacity. SpaceX is offering customers the opportunity to pay a ~Dh285 deposit to join the capacity waitlist.
