Ofcom UK Propose to Speed Up NGSO Licensing for LEO Broadband Satellites

The UK broadband, media and communications regulator, Ofcom, has today opened a new consultation that proposes to improve the existing license process for non-geostationary satellite orbit (NGSO) systems, such as those like Starlink, OneWeb and others that offer broadband from satellites in a Low or Medium Earth Orbit (LEO and MEO).

The regulator introduced their current spectrum licensing process for NGSO satellite systems back in 2021. But since then they’ve carried out a review to ensure this process continues to meet their objectives in a proportionate way, and have thus today proposed to make a few revisions and improvements.

In particular, while the existing process is generally seen to be “meeting our objectives well“, Ofcom believes it can now “speed up the process, make it more efficient and ensure it is proportionate“. The focus is on measures that can thus speed up overall decision-making timeframes and reduce the coordination and administrative burdens on NGSO satellite operators (e.g. the regulator proposes to no longer routinely consult on applications for NGSO gateway licences).

Ofcom’s Proposals

We are proposing to revise the NGSO licensing process to clarify requirements for current and prospective licensees, speed up decision-making timeframes overall, and reduce coordination and administrative burdens on NGSO satellite operators. Specifically, we propose to:

• strengthen the requirements and evidence needed at the point of application for NGSO licences, to enable a smoother, faster and more robust process overall;

• no longer routinely consult on NGSO gateway licence applications, given our updated assessment of risks; and

• bolster timely, well-evidenced decision-making by extending the consultation commenting period and clarifying how we will handle stakeholder issues raised in responses.

We also propose to change NGSO gateway licences where this is needed for effective regulation, to facilitate future gateway use in new frequency bands such as the Q/V band. Our proposed licence conditions would:

• allow NGSO gateways to connect to a wider range of satellite services;

• introduce a licence obligation requiring NGSO gateway licensees to cooperate with other co-frequency NGSO licensees. This means an NGSO gateway licence in Q/V band will need to be held by a satellite operator (or jointly with a satellite operator).

We are not proposing to vary existing NGSO gateway licences. In addition, we are inviting stakeholder views on other ways we might improve our NGSO licensing process for current and prospective NGSO licensees.

Taken together, Ofcom expects their plans should help to support innovation and opportunities for growth in this sector and are seeking feedback on the proposals by 18th November 2025. Assuming all goes well then the regulator expects to publish their final decision in “early 2026“, alongside any revised guidance etc.