Elon Musk’s Starlink is on track to play a larger role in the UK’s broadband infrastructure, with telecoms regulator Ofcom proposing new temporary spectrum licences to expand the satellite internet provider’s capacity across the country.
Under the plans, Starlink would gain access to additional E band frequencies at three of its existing ground stations in Hampshire, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire. These Earth stations connect users by transmitting data between Starlink’s low-Earth orbit satellites and terrestrial infrastructure.
The proposed licences, set to run until the end of 2028, come with technical safeguards to prevent interference with other satellite and broadband services. Ofcom said the move would enable Starlink to boost its network capacity and better serve both businesses and households in rural and remote areas.
“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,” Ofcom said in a statement. “This should encourage investment, foster innovation and bolster growth of satellite services in the UK.”
Starlink, a division of Musk’s aerospace company SpaceX, already provides internet access to isolated communities and rural businesses that have long struggled with slow or unreliable broadband. It has also won public sector contracts, including providing connectivity to rural NHS GPs and support for ambulance tracking systems.
The company operates a vast constellation of thousands of satellites in low-Earth orbit, designed to deliver high-speed internet in areas where traditional fixed-line or mobile networks are either impractical or cost-prohibitive.
Starlink’s expansion comes as demand for rural broadband access grows and as political pressure mounts over persistent coverage gaps across the UK. Mobile operators including EE and Virgin Media O2 have been trialling Starlink’s technology to enhance their own networks, especially in “not spots” – areas with poor mobile reception. T-Mobile is conducting similar tests in the US.
The move also aligns with the broader trend of integrating satellite and mobile technology. Vodafone, which is finalising a £15 billion merger with Three, has launched a satellite broadband joint venture with Texas-based AST SpaceMobile. Meanwhile, Ofcom has approved new capabilities that allow smartphones to connect directly to satellites, bypassing traditional masts and potentially transforming connectivity in rural regions.
However, Starlink’s growing influence has not come without scrutiny. Elon Musk has faced criticism over his political affiliations and his role in the Ukraine conflict, where Starlink technology has become critical to maintaining digital infrastructure. Musk’s previous suggestion that he could cut off access to Ukrainian forces has raised concerns about the geopolitical risks of relying on private satellite networks.
The company is also set to face fresh competition from Jeff Bezos’s Project Kuiper, Amazon’s rival satellite broadband initiative, which is preparing for its own UK rollout in the coming months.
While satellite broadband won’t replace traditional fibre or mobile networks, its integration is expected to provide vital redundancy and service continuity in underserved locations. Operators are likely to charge a premium for such services, in a model similar to international roaming.
