Consultation: Proposal to grant temporary licences to Starlink Services LLC to use 71-76 GHz and 81-86 GHz for NGSO gateway earth stations at three sites

Non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite systems have the potential to deliver high capacity and low latency satellite-based broadband services to consumers, governments and businesses. Satellite communication systems rely on gateway earth stations (“gateways”), which connect satellites to the internet or to a private network.

Starlink Services, LLC, a subsidiary of SpaceX (hereafter referred to as “Starlink”), currently offers the only direct-to-consumer NGSO service in the UK. In December 2024 Ofcom received a request from Starlink for temporary authorisation to use E band frequencies (71-76 GHz and 81-86 GHz) at three of its existing gateway sites owing to capacity constraints on its UK operations. E band is currently not available in the UK for use by gateways.

Having considered Starlink’s request, we are consulting on our proposal to issue temporary fixed-term licences to Starlink to use E band frequencies at NGSO gateways at three sites in the UK:

• Morn Hill, Hampshire
• Wherstead, Suffolk
• Woodwalton, Cambridgeshire

These temporary authorisations would be subject to technical conditions for the protection of the existing services in and adjacent to the band, including the Fixed Service and the Earth Exploration Satellite Service (passive).

We consider that granting these licences would enable Starlink to increase the capacity of its services, benefiting people and businesses who use these services in the UK. This should encourage investment, foster innovation and bolster growth of satellite services in the UK.

Responding to this consultation

Please submit responses using the consultation response form no later than 5pm 27 June 2025.