Apply for a non-geostationary satellite earth station licence (FSS)

Non-geostationary orbit (NGSO) satellite earth station licences are used to authorise gateway earth stations and user terminals that relay traffic via NGSO satellites that orbit the Earth.

These licences authorise the use of certain frequency bands the Ka and Ku bands allocated to the fixed-satellite service. They can be used to provide several types of service including direct-to-consumer broadband, broadband services to businesses, telcos and governments, and Internet of Things.

An NGSO satellite earth station licence is a term we use for the following two types of licences:

• Satellite (earth station network) licence – for NGSO use: authorises an unlimited number of user terminals, for example a satellite dish, to connect to the NGSO satellite system.
• Satellite (non-geostationary earth station) licence: authorises gateway earth stations connecting the NGSO satellite system to the internet or private networks.  

How to apply

Our NGSO satellite earth stations licence guidance (PDF, 748.4 KB) explains how you can apply for a licence. It also covers licence fees, terms and conditions.

Use the Satellite (Earth Station Network) radio licence application form – non-geostationary – OfW602 (PDF, 674.0 KB) to apply for a licence for an NGSO network of user terminals.

Use the Satellite (Non-Geostationary Earth Station) radio licence application form – OfW564 (PDF, 998.1 KB) to apply for a licence for an NGSO gateway earth station.

How we will assess applications

When considering applications for these licences, we will take account of their impact on technical coexistence and competition. We will also publish and invite comments on applications that we are considering authorising.

Applicants will be expected to show how their proposed gateway or network can coexist with:

• existing NGSO satellite systems that are licensed in the UK (see the Existing licences section below);
• NGSO satellite systems for which an application has been submitted and published on this page; and
• other specific co-frequency earth stations registered with the ITU.

Existing licences

You can download a copy of the licence document by opening the link in the licensee's name. The licences are subject to the terms of the General Licence Conditions booklet - version OfW 597 (PDF, 236.8 KB).

Applications received

We invite comments on any application we have received and published below. The deadline for responses is included alongside each application.

You can submit comments on an application by using the response form from each consultation page.

We will publish all non-confidential responses alongside our final decision on each application. You can subscribe to spectrum email updates (selecting ‘Radio spectrum’ in the list of sectors) to be notified when we publish a new application or decision.