Starlink UAE Gets 10-Year Licence - Prices, Availability and How It Compares

Starlink UAE has secured a 10-year licence, adding satellite broadband to the country’s fibre and 5G choices.

The Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority granted Starlink Satellite Communications LLC a General Space Services Licence on August 28, 2026.

The licence allows the SpaceX-owned company to establish and operate a public satellite communications network in the UAE. Starlink can provide broadband services to residents, businesses and government entities, as well as the maritime and aviation sectors.

What the Starlink licence means

The new licence expands Starlink’s permitted activities beyond the maritime satellite services previously authorised in the UAE.

According to the TDRA announcement, satellite broadband will add a space-based layer to the UAE’s existing fibre-optic and 5G infrastructure.

The authority said this could improve network resilience and provide additional connectivity options for energy, logistics, aviation, maritime transport and emergency response operations.

The licence does not mean every UAE address has immediate access. Starlink’s order system checks availability by location, and some addresses in Dubai and Abu Dhabi may be placed on a waiting list when local satellite capacity is full.

How Starlink works

Traditional home broadband usually carries data through fibre cables connected to a property. Wireless home internet from du and e& generally uses the operators’ mobile networks and a 4G or 5G router.

Starlink communicates with a network of satellites in low Earth orbit. The customer installs an antenna, commonly called a dish, with an unobstructed view of the sky.

The system can serve locations where installing fibre is difficult or where mobile coverage is limited. It may also work as a backup connection for businesses that want an alternative to terrestrial infrastructure.

However, buildings, trees and other obstructions can affect the connection. Weather, network demand and local satellite capacity may also influence actual performance.

Starlink UAE price and equipment

Starlink currently advertises its UAE Residential plan from Dh300 per month. The plan includes unlimited data and a 30-day trial.

The company advertises download speeds of up to 400 Mbps or more for its Residential service. This is a maximum performance figure, not a guaranteed speed for every household or at all times.

The Standard hardware kit is currently reported to start at Dh1,465 and includes the Starlink antenna and a third-generation Wi-Fi 6 router. Customers at capacity-constrained addresses may be asked to pay a deposit of approximately Dh285.71 to join the waiting list. The deposit is credited towards the equipment cost.

Prices and availability can vary by address. Customers should enter their service location on the official Starlink UAE website to see the current plan, hardware charge and waiting-list status.

How Starlink compares with du

Du provides fixed fibre broadband and wireless home internet. Its Home Wireless service uses a 5G-enabled router and switches to 4G where 5G is unavailable.

Du’s current promotional Home Wireless offers start from about Dh199 per month plus VAT, while its main home internet page advertises fixed home services from approximately Dh272 per month. Prices depend on the customer’s location, contract and available promotion.

Selected packages include unlimited data, entertainment subscriptions, routers, television services or landline benefits. Early termination and equipment charges may apply to contracted plans.

Customers can enter their building or villa on the du home internet page to check the services available at their address.

How Starlink compares with e&

E& offers fibre-based eLife and Neo home internet packages, along with wireless options in selected areas.

The operator launched its Neo fibre plan with speeds of up to 1Gbps from Dh399 per month. The entry plan includes Amazon Prime and access to the TV by e& app, with optional entertainment services and equipment available at an additional cost.

Higher-tier plans offer faster connections and more bundled services. Availability, installation requirements and the final monthly cost depend on the selected package and address.

More information is available through the official e& Neo announcement.

Which internet option may suit your home?

For homes with reliable fibre coverage, du or e& may provide higher advertised speeds without the need to install an outdoor satellite dish. Their packages can also include television, streaming and landline services.

Starlink may be more useful for remote properties, temporary sites, farms, vessels, businesses operating away from fixed networks or customers seeking a separate backup connection.

Before ordering, residents should compare the total cost rather than the monthly price alone. Starlink requires an upfront equipment purchase, while local operator packages may include installation, routers and entertainment services but require a fixed contract.

Customers should also check roof or balcony access, landlord or building-management approval, dish visibility, installation costs, waiting-list status and cancellation terms.

Starlink gives UAE consumers another internet option, but its value will depend heavily on location. For many connected Dubai homes, it may work better as an alternative or backup than a direct replacement for fibre.