Cran targets decision on Starlink licence in first quarter of 2026

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) says it aims to conclude its assessment of Starlink’s telecommunications and spectrum licence applications by the end of the first quarter of 2026, following the close of a statutory public consultation process.

This comes as questions have been raised over whether the minister of information and communication technology, Emma Theofelus, has granted Starlink an exemption from Namibian ownership requirements under the Telecommunications Act.

Cran said it could not disclose at this stage whether such an exemption had been approved or declined, noting that the issue forms part of the broader licensing assessment.

“Any determination on this issue will be weighed together with other statutory criteria before a final outcome is reached,” Cran said on Tuesday.

The authority confirmed it expects to announce its final decision by the end of the first quarter of 2026.

Cran said it received 1 180 written public submissions on the applications. Of these, 1 164 supported Starlink’s proposed entry into the Namibian market, while 16 opposed it.

The regulator said submissions from both sides raised substantive issues that will be considered as part of the licensing evaluation.

Cran executive for communication and consumer relations Mufaro Nesongano said the volume and nature of the submissions would require detailed assessment before a final decision is made.

“The submissions raised a range of technical, economic and regulatory considerations that will be assessed against the applicable licensing framework,” Nesongano said.

Cran is consolidating all submissions and will share the compiled feedback with Starlink once the process is completed. The company will then be given 14 days to respond to the concerns and viewpoints raised during the consultation.

“The response period allows the applicant to address specific matters raised by the public as part of the authority’s decision-making process,” Nesongano said.

The application was submitted by the company Starlink Internet Services Namibia in June 2024 and was published in the Government Gazette on 28 November 2025, triggering the mandatory public consultation period.

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