Reception of radio signals from a satellite does not require a licence from Nkom on the Norwegian mainland and on Jan Mayen. This applies irrespective of the frequency bands used. For transmission of radio signals to satellite, some frequency bands are available without a licence being required. Larger satellite earth stations with high uplink effects, or in other frequency bands, require frequency licences. Special rules apply to Svalbard and Antarctica, including for reception. 

Free and licensed use

The use of radio equipment for satellite communication in Norway, for ordinary commercial services, is harmonised with the rest of Europe. Licences for such use are granted as a general licence to use frequencies (the General Authorisations Regulations) and the use of such equipment therefore does not require any additional frequency licence from Nkom. This applies to broadcasting and data communication services via both geostationary (GSO) satellite systems and non-geostationary (NGSO) satellite systems. Satellite equipment for “Satellite News Gathering” (SNG), used during live news broadcasts or sports events will also be subject to the General Authorisations Regulations.

As a rule, these systems operate with transmission to the satellite in the frequency bands 14.00-14.50 GHz or 29.50-30.00 GHz. These frequency bands are often referred to as Ku bands and Ka bands, respectively. The equipment consists of small parabolic reflector antennas, with mechanical control, if necessary, or electronically controlled fixed antennas.

Other customary lower-band satellite services using handheld equipment, for example, are also included in the General Authorisations Regulations, and do not require their own frequency licence.

Reception of radio signals from satellite is not regulated and does not require a licence from Nkom on the Norwegian mainland and on Jan Mayen. This applies irrespective of the frequency bands used for reception. Special rules apply to Svalbard and Antarctica. See below.

Large satellite earth stations in other frequency bands or with high uplink effects may require frequency licences. Please contact Nkom if you are in any doubt.

Satellite earth stations on Svalbard and in Antarctica

The establishment, operation and use of earth stations on Svalbard and in Antarctica are subject to the regulation concerning satellite earth stations on Svalbard, and the regulation concerning satellite earth stations in Antarctica.

Application for earth station and satellite

Establishment of an earth station on Svalbard requires a licence for the establishment, operation and use of the earth station. An earth station must also have communication licences for each satellite to which data is transmitted or from which data is received. Licences for establishment, operation and use, and for communication with satellites, are granted by Nkom on the basis of assessment in relation to the requirements laid down in the regulations.

No licence is required for equipment for general commercial use (for example, reception of TV/radio and satellite broadband terminals).

VSAT on Svalbard and in Antarctica

VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) earth stations on ships or aircraft are not subject to the regulations for Svalbard and Antarctica if they:

  • solely communicate with satellites via transponders (“bent pipe” type), whereby the equipment is intended for general commercial use;
  • and operate either at frequencies regulated in Section 39, second, third, fourth and fifth paragraphs of the General Authorisations Regulations concerning satellite earth stations, or use C-band frequencies (4-7 GHz). 

It is specified that transmission on C-band frequencies on Norwegian territory requires a separate licence.

Further information about VSAT can be read in Nkom's interpretation statement concerning earth stations that are not subject to the earth station regulations.

Supervision of earth stations on Svalbard and in Antarctica

Nkom supervises earth stations on Svalbard and in Antarctica in accordance with the regulation on satellite earth stations on Svalbard, and in accordance with the regulation on satellite earth stations in Antarctica.

It is supervised that the operation of the earth stations takes place in accordance with the regulations and the respective licences granted by Nkom.

The supervision is conducted with the assistance of the Governor of Svalbard, the Norwegian Polar Institute and other Norwegian authorities and administrative bodies, as appropriate.

Forms for earth stations on Svalbard and in Antarctica

Forms for use in the reporting and submission of information in connection with licences and supervision are available here. This includes application forms for application for the establishment of a new earth station, and for the establishment of new antennas associated with an existing earth station licence.