Statement: Starlink application for two non-geostationary gateway earth station licences

Statement published 20 July 2026

Non-geostationary orbiting (NGSO) satellite systems are a way of delivering broadband services from space using a constellation of satellites in a low or medium Earth orbit. These satellite systems have the potential to deliver higher speeds and lower latency services.

Ofcom received an application from Starlink Internet Services Limited (Starlink) for two NGSO gateway licences in Harlow, Essex and Mulberry Wharf, London, to connect to its NGSO satellite system. Details of this application (reference: “STRLNK-GAT-3”) can be found in the application documents section below.

Following a consultation in which we set out our initial assessment, we have decided to grant these NGSO gateway licences to Starlink. This decision should help Starlink to improve the capacity and resilience of its existing satellite connectivity services to households, business and other potential customers in the UK.