Elon Musk firm linked to Mayo project

The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) is inviting public submissions regarding the proposed granting of a licence to Starlink, the satellite internet service provider owned by tech billionaire Elon Musk, to operate a ground satellite in Killala.

Starlink, which provides satellite broadband services, sent an application to ComReg in March for a satellite earth stations (SES) licence to operate within the 18 GHz2 and 28 GHz3 frequency bands in Killala.

It is understood, based on maps submitted with ComReg’s information notice on the licence application, that any future SES infrastructure would be based in the Killala Business Park, which is home to many existing and proposed tech developments such as the landing station for a transatlantic cable, a data centre, a hydrogen plant and a biomass station.

If this licence is granted, it would authorise Starlink, which is owned by Musk’s Space X company, to operate an SES on the ground in Killala to connect with its systems in orbit to enhance the connectivity capabilities and capacity for Starlink users. A similar system is currently in operation at Garrettstown, Co Cork since 2021.

In the assessment process, ComReg has to consider whether the proposed deployments are capable of co-existing with current users without causing them to experience harmful interference.

Starlink stated in its application that the ‘Killala gateway’ would not cause any issues in this regard.

“The Killala gateway will not cause harmful interference into any co-frequency Earth Stations,” it said. “SpaceX has been sharing spectrum and coexisting with other NGSO and GSO satellite operators globally for several years now without any reports of harmful interference.

“SpaceX has a demonstrated track record of working directly with both GSO and NGSO operators to coordinate and co-exist and will continue to do so with both current and future operators.

“SpaceX expects that there will be no harm to current and future NGSO systems, and does not perceive or foresee any competitive disadvantages to other NGSO operators.” 

ComReg has preliminarily proposed to grant the licence to Starlink but is inviting public comment before signing off. The public consultation period runs until 5pm on June 25, 2025, and more information is available at www.comreg.ie.

Local councillor Jarlath Munnelly said if the licence is granted to Starlink, he expects any further development in the area to go through the normal rigours of the planning process.

“Any proposal from any developer, you would expect to go through the planning process so any issues that are raised can be addressed,” he said. “We have to make sure projects are done properly so they stand up and all local concerns are taken on board.”