Starlink’s Namibia licence awaits ministry’s exemption ruling
The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) is on hold, awaiting direction from the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology regarding Starlink’s application for an operating licence, CRAN CEO Emilia Nghikembua announced during a recent market update.
Speaking to Market Watch on the sidelines of a briefing at the Government Information Centre, Nghikembua said that Starlink’s application, submitted in June 2024, cannot proceed until the line ministry resolves the company’s request for an ownership exemption.
“We cannot proceed with the full application until the ownership exemption is finalised,” Nghikembua stated. “Once Minister Emma Theofilus makes her decision, we will evaluate the application, as local ownership is a key criterion.”
Namibia’s Communications Act mandates that licensees hold at least 51% Namibian ownership and control. Starlink, a global satellite internet provider, does not meet this requirement, prompting the company to seek an exemption from the ministry.
“The Act requires applicants who don’t comply with the ownership rule to apply for an exemption through the Minister of Information,” Nghikembua said.
Cease and desist
CRAN in November 2024 issued a cease-and-desist order to Elon Musk's satellite internet provider Starlink for operating in the country without a licence.
Starlink, the satellite unit of SpaceX, operates in several African countries but has faced regulatory challenges and resistance from state telecom monopolies.
Starlink has applied for a telecommunications service licence in Namibia; however, the regulator has not issued the licence as the application is still under review.
“Following an investigation, CRAN has established that Starlink is operating a network within Namibia without the required telecommunications licence,” CRAN said in a statement at the time.
“On 26 November 2024, the Authority issued a cease-and-desist order to Starlink, instructing the company to immediately cease all operations in Namibia.”
SpaceX did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The regulator also advised the public not to purchase Starlink terminal equipment or subscribe to its services, as such activities are illegal in Namibia.
Its investigators have already confiscated illegal terminals from consumers and have opened criminal cases with the Namibian Police in this regard, it added. – Additional reporting by Reuters
Speaking to Market Watch on the sidelines of a briefing at the Government Information Centre, Nghikembua said that Starlink’s application, submitted in June 2024, cannot proceed until the line ministry resolves the company’s request for an ownership exemption.
“We cannot proceed with the full application until the ownership exemption is finalised,” Nghikembua stated. “Once Minister Emma Theofilus makes her decision, we will evaluate the application, as local ownership is a key criterion.”
Namibia’s Communications Act mandates that licensees hold at least 51% Namibian ownership and control. Starlink, a global satellite internet provider, does not meet this requirement, prompting the company to seek an exemption from the ministry.
“The Act requires applicants who don’t comply with the ownership rule to apply for an exemption through the Minister of Information,” Nghikembua said.
Cease and desist
CRAN in November 2024 issued a cease-and-desist order to Elon Musk's satellite internet provider Starlink for operating in the country without a licence.
Starlink, the satellite unit of SpaceX, operates in several African countries but has faced regulatory challenges and resistance from state telecom monopolies.
Starlink has applied for a telecommunications service licence in Namibia; however, the regulator has not issued the licence as the application is still under review.
“Following an investigation, CRAN has established that Starlink is operating a network within Namibia without the required telecommunications licence,” CRAN said in a statement at the time.
“On 26 November 2024, the Authority issued a cease-and-desist order to Starlink, instructing the company to immediately cease all operations in Namibia.”
SpaceX did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The regulator also advised the public not to purchase Starlink terminal equipment or subscribe to its services, as such activities are illegal in Namibia.
Its investigators have already confiscated illegal terminals from consumers and have opened criminal cases with the Namibian Police in this regard, it added. – Additional reporting by Reuters
