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

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.

Ofcom has 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. A full list of all NGSO licence applications received can be found under the Applications received section of our website.

Starlink proposes to use these gateways to improve the capacity and resilience of its existing satellite connectivity services to households, business and other potential customers in the UK.

This consultation sets out Ofcom’s proposal to grant two NGSO gateway licences to Starlink. We are inviting comments on this application and our proposal to grant it by 17 April 2026.

We will consider any responses to this consultation before reaching a final decision on whether to grant these licences to Starlink.