OneWeb approval sets path for LEO in Namibia
Ogone Tlhage
Radio Electronic recently secured approval to deploy Eutelsat OneWeb services in Namibia. CEO Francois du Toit (FdT) explains how this local partnership model works, who it serves, and why it won’t directly compete with MTC or Telecom Namibia in a recent interview with Market Watch (MW).
MW: As a locally licensed provider, how does this deal ensure that revenue remains in Namibia rather than flowing entirely to international operators?FdT: Because the service is delivered through a locally licensed operator, all customer
contracts, billing, support, compliance obligations, and tax liabilities are handled inside Namibia.
This ensures:
• Local billing and VAT contribution
• Employment of Namibian technical, sales and support staff
• Ongoing contribution to regulatory licensing, levies and compliance fees in Namibia
While satellite capacity is sourced internationally (as with all satellite services), the value chain,
service margin, and operational revenue remain anchored in Namibia.
MW: How do you view your entry into the market relative to existing players like MTC and Telecom Namibia? Do you see Radio Electronic as a direct competitor, or will this service fill gaps that fibre and 4G cannot reach?FdT: Radio Electronic does not view this service as a direct replacement or competitor to MTC or Telecom Namibia. Instead, LEO satellite connectivity:
• Complements fibre and mobile networks
• Serves areas where terrestrial infrastructure is impractical or uneconomical
• Enables connectivity for mobile, maritime, mining, energy, and remote enterprise operations
This service fills coverage and resilience gaps, rather than competing head-to-head with urban fibre or 4G/5G networks.
MW: The announcement specifies a “business-grade” focus. Does this mean the service is intended primarily for corporate clients, or will there be affordable packages available for ordinary households and rural communities?FdT: The initial rollout is business-grade by design, targeting:
• Enterprises and critical infrastructure
• Mining, maritime, logistics, energy, and agriculture
• Remote sites requiring reliable, low-latency connectivity
That said, the platform is technically capable of broader access, and over time we expect:
• Scaled offerings for rural institutions (schools, clinics,)
• Select community or SME use cases where terrestrial alternatives do not exist
MW: Will your entry into the market encourage traditional players to lower their data costs, or do you intend to serve a separate niche?FdT: Will this compete with existing GEO satellite service providers? Yes, definitely. It is important to note that LEO services operate in a different cost and performance tier than
mobile data or fibre connectivity.
Rather than directly influencing consumer pricing, this market entry:
• Introduces competition in the enterprise and mission-critical segment
• Encourages innovation, redundancy, and service quality improvements
• Provides an alternative where price is outweighed by reliability, performance, and reach
The primary value and benefits lie in capability and resilience, not price disruption.
MW: Does the rollout of this national infrastructure require specialised skills, and will it create new employment opportunities for Namibian technicians in rural areas?FdT: Yes. The rollout requires:
• Certified satellite technicians to offer technical support where needed
• RF, networking, and IT specialists for advanced installations and commissioning
• Field installers and support personnel in remote regions
Radio Electronic already has a long-standing technical footprint in Namibia, and this initiative will:
• Expand local training and certification
• Create skilled technical roles
• Build long-term expertise in next-generation satellite communications
MW: Will the introduction of a third major connectivity alternative help drive down the cost of data for Namibian businesses?FdT: While any current satellite service offering is not considered a low-cost consumer service as compared with terrestrial services, increased competition at the enterprise level generally drives
better pricing discipline and service innovation across the market.
MW: Now that you have regulatory approval, how soon do you expect the first active terminals to be deployed?
FdT: While regulatory approval to offer the service has been granted and Type Approvals for the importation of the required hardware are in place, service activation is contingent on the formal approval. In parallel, we are in the final stages of concluding subscription fee negotiations with our business partners, after which the proposed offering will be submitted to CRAN for review and approval. Subject to the completion of these remaining administrative processes, we anticipate being fully operational in the current quarter.
MW: Starlink’s entry is currently stalled by regulatory hurdles regarding local ownership. Does your approval validate that a “local partnership” model is the most viable path for global LEO providers to enter the Namibian market legally?FdT: The approval of our service demonstrates that Namibia has a clear regulatory framework that enables global satellite technologies to be introduced through locally licensed operators. Satellite communication forms one of the primary pillars of our business model. We view all Low Earth Orbit (LEO) solutions, including OneWeb, Starlink, and others, as part of the future of satellite communications, each with a role to play in improving connectivity across the country. Our focus is not on excluding any technology, but on ensuring that advanced connectivity solutions are deployed in a manner that is compliant, sustainable, and aligned with Namibia’s regulatory objectives.
Radio Electronic recently secured approval to deploy Eutelsat OneWeb services in Namibia. CEO Francois du Toit (FdT) explains how this local partnership model works, who it serves, and why it won’t directly compete with MTC or Telecom Namibia in a recent interview with Market Watch (MW).
MW: As a locally licensed provider, how does this deal ensure that revenue remains in Namibia rather than flowing entirely to international operators?FdT: Because the service is delivered through a locally licensed operator, all customer
contracts, billing, support, compliance obligations, and tax liabilities are handled inside Namibia.
This ensures:
• Local billing and VAT contribution
• Employment of Namibian technical, sales and support staff
• Ongoing contribution to regulatory licensing, levies and compliance fees in Namibia
While satellite capacity is sourced internationally (as with all satellite services), the value chain,
service margin, and operational revenue remain anchored in Namibia.
MW: How do you view your entry into the market relative to existing players like MTC and Telecom Namibia? Do you see Radio Electronic as a direct competitor, or will this service fill gaps that fibre and 4G cannot reach?FdT: Radio Electronic does not view this service as a direct replacement or competitor to MTC or Telecom Namibia. Instead, LEO satellite connectivity:
• Complements fibre and mobile networks
• Serves areas where terrestrial infrastructure is impractical or uneconomical
• Enables connectivity for mobile, maritime, mining, energy, and remote enterprise operations
This service fills coverage and resilience gaps, rather than competing head-to-head with urban fibre or 4G/5G networks.
MW: The announcement specifies a “business-grade” focus. Does this mean the service is intended primarily for corporate clients, or will there be affordable packages available for ordinary households and rural communities?FdT: The initial rollout is business-grade by design, targeting:
• Enterprises and critical infrastructure
• Mining, maritime, logistics, energy, and agriculture
• Remote sites requiring reliable, low-latency connectivity
That said, the platform is technically capable of broader access, and over time we expect:
• Scaled offerings for rural institutions (schools, clinics,)
• Select community or SME use cases where terrestrial alternatives do not exist
MW: Will your entry into the market encourage traditional players to lower their data costs, or do you intend to serve a separate niche?FdT: Will this compete with existing GEO satellite service providers? Yes, definitely. It is important to note that LEO services operate in a different cost and performance tier than
mobile data or fibre connectivity.
Rather than directly influencing consumer pricing, this market entry:
• Introduces competition in the enterprise and mission-critical segment
• Encourages innovation, redundancy, and service quality improvements
• Provides an alternative where price is outweighed by reliability, performance, and reach
The primary value and benefits lie in capability and resilience, not price disruption.
MW: Does the rollout of this national infrastructure require specialised skills, and will it create new employment opportunities for Namibian technicians in rural areas?FdT: Yes. The rollout requires:
• Certified satellite technicians to offer technical support where needed
• RF, networking, and IT specialists for advanced installations and commissioning
• Field installers and support personnel in remote regions
Radio Electronic already has a long-standing technical footprint in Namibia, and this initiative will:
• Expand local training and certification
• Create skilled technical roles
• Build long-term expertise in next-generation satellite communications
MW: Will the introduction of a third major connectivity alternative help drive down the cost of data for Namibian businesses?FdT: While any current satellite service offering is not considered a low-cost consumer service as compared with terrestrial services, increased competition at the enterprise level generally drives
better pricing discipline and service innovation across the market.
MW: Now that you have regulatory approval, how soon do you expect the first active terminals to be deployed?
FdT: While regulatory approval to offer the service has been granted and Type Approvals for the importation of the required hardware are in place, service activation is contingent on the formal approval. In parallel, we are in the final stages of concluding subscription fee negotiations with our business partners, after which the proposed offering will be submitted to CRAN for review and approval. Subject to the completion of these remaining administrative processes, we anticipate being fully operational in the current quarter.
MW: Starlink’s entry is currently stalled by regulatory hurdles regarding local ownership. Does your approval validate that a “local partnership” model is the most viable path for global LEO providers to enter the Namibian market legally?FdT: The approval of our service demonstrates that Namibia has a clear regulatory framework that enables global satellite technologies to be introduced through locally licensed operators. Satellite communication forms one of the primary pillars of our business model. We view all Low Earth Orbit (LEO) solutions, including OneWeb, Starlink, and others, as part of the future of satellite communications, each with a role to play in improving connectivity across the country. Our focus is not on excluding any technology, but on ensuring that advanced connectivity solutions are deployed in a manner that is compliant, sustainable, and aligned with Namibia’s regulatory objectives.
