[Home](/)/[Resources](/resources)/CE marking for satellite communication terminals EUProduct guide # CE Marking for Satellite Communication Terminals and VSAT Equipment All satellite earth station terminals are radio equipment under RED — they transmit on satellite uplink frequencies and require CE marking. The specific ETSI harmonised standard depends on frequency band and terminal category. LEO flat-panel phased array terminals represent an evolving compliance frontier where the harmonised standard landscape is still being established by ETSI. Copy Link[Share on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/?text=https%3A%2F%2Fkrono-labs.com%2Fguides%2Fce-marking-for-satellite-terminals) At a glance Terminal types covered 5 Key ETSI/safety standards 6 FAQs 4 ## Satellite terminal types and applicable standards ### Fixed VSAT terminals (Ku-band) Frequencies: **10.7–12.75 GHz (receive) / 13.75–14.5 GHz (transmit)** ETSI EN 301 428 (fixed satellite earth stations, Ku-band) Used for broadband internet access, enterprise WAN, and broadcast receive. Fixed dish antennas require site coordination for interference avoidance. ### Fixed VSAT terminals (Ka-band) Frequencies: **17.3–20.2 GHz (receive) / 27.5–30.0 GHz (transmit)** ETSI EN 303 978 (fixed satellite earth stations, Ka-band) Higher frequency enables smaller dishes for equivalent bandwidth. Ka-band is more susceptible to rain fade in northern European climates. ### LEO terminal equipment (Starlink, OneWeb, Kuiper) Frequencies: **10.7–12.7 GHz and 17.8–19.3 GHz (receive) / 14.0–14.5 GHz and 27.5–29.1 GHz (transmit)** ETSI EN 303 978 (broadband earth stations); ongoing harmonised standard development LEO terminals use electronically-steered phased array antennas instead of fixed dishes. The rapidly evolving regulatory landscape for LEO flat-panel terminals is still maturing at ETSI and CEPT level. ### Maritime satellite terminals (VSAT maritime, Inmarsat) Frequencies: **Various L-band, Ku-band, and Ka-band** ETSI EN 301 427 (maritime earth stations, VSAT) / ETSI EN 301 190 (Inmarsat) Subject to additional IMO/SOLAS equipment requirements for distress and safety communications. The CE marking under RED covers the radio equipment; separate marine equipment requirements apply for safety systems. ### Transportable/nomadic satellite terminals Frequencies: **Ku-band or Ka-band** ETSI EN 303 978 / ETSI EN 301 428 depending on band Terminals designed for temporary installation — news gathering, emergency services, events. Subject to national frequency coordination requirements in each EU member state. ## Key harmonised and safety standards ETSI EN 301 428 Satellite earth stations and systems — fixed satellite earth stations (Fixed FSS) Ku-band — harmonised standard for RED ETSI EN 303 978 Satellite earth stations and systems — broadband satellite interactive terminals — harmonised standard for RE Directive ETSI EN 301 427 Satellite earth stations and systems — maritime mobile earth stations (MMES) — harmonised standard ETSI EN 301 190 Satellite earth stations and systems — Inmarsat standard-C ship earth stations — harmonised standard EN 55032 Electromagnetic compatibility of multimedia equipment — emission requirements (for the electronics processing module of the terminal) IEC 62368-1 Audio/video, IT and communications equipment — safety requirements (for mains-powered terminal electronics) ## Frequently asked questions ### Does a satellite terminal always need RED CE marking? Yes. Satellite earth station terminals are radio equipment under RED 2014/53/EU — they transmit on allocated satellite uplink frequencies. All satellite terminals placed on the EU market need CE marking under RED. The specific harmonised ETSI standard depends on the frequency band, terminal type (fixed, mobile, maritime), and satellite orbit (GEO vs LEO). ### What is the difference between type approval and CE marking for satellite terminals? CE marking under RED is the EU market access requirement — it covers conformity with essential requirements for radio, EMC, and safety. Type approval is a legacy concept from pre-harmonisation national frameworks, largely superseded by CE marking in the EU. Some satellite operators (Inmarsat, Iridium) maintain their own type approval processes for terminals accessing their networks — these are vendor-specific technical certifications separate from EU regulatory CE marking requirements. ### Do LEO satellite terminals (Starlink, OneWeb) have a harmonised standard yet? The harmonised standard landscape for LEO flat-panel phased array terminals is still developing. ETSI Technical Committee SES (Satellite Earth Stations and Systems) is working on updated standards for electronically-steered LEO terminals. Manufacturers and importers of LEO terminals for the EU market currently use existing applicable standards to the extent possible and may need to demonstrate compliance via alternative means for aspects not yet covered by harmonised standards — with the associated Notified Body implications. ### Are satellite dish antennas sold separately from the terminal electronics subject to CE marking? A passive reflector dish antenna with no active electronics is generally outside CE marking scope — it is not a product covered by RED, EMC, or LVD as a standalone item. However, active antenna assemblies — phased array panels with integrated LNBs, amplifiers, or beamforming electronics — contain electronic components that bring them into CE marking scope under RED and EMC directives. **Disclaimer:** Educational resource only. Satellite terminal compliance involves spectrum coordination requirements beyond CE marking. Verify applicable ETSI standards and national frequency coordination requirements with your compliance engineer. 🇪🇺 CE Marking roadmap for your product Every standard, document, and test that applies — free, no account required. See your free roadmap[ Want an expert to take your product through 🇪🇺 CE Marking compliance for you? One consultant from Krono's compliance team takes your product from requirements to legal sale, with a fixed quote before any work starts. 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