The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia has rejected satellite internet service provider Starlink’s application for a licence to operate in Namibia after the company failed to meet local ownership, regulatory compliance, and legal criteria.
Speaking at a press briefing in Windhoek yesterday, chairperson of the Cran board Tulimevava Mufeti said Starlink Internet Services failed to meet three out of six criteria.
“Starlink met only three of the six criteria required by law, and since each criterion is a ground for refusal, the application could not be approved,” she said.
The first failed criterion is local ownership. Telecommunications service providers in Namibia are required to be 51% locally owned.
Starlink is entirely foreign-owned and did not request an exemption of this requirement.
Mufeti said the lack of local ownership raised concerns about Cran’s ability to regulate Starlink.
She said the application was evaluated based on a national defence criterion and the ability of the government to hold the company accountable.
“This raises material regulatory concerns regarding jurisdiction, accountability, and the authority’s ability to exercise effective oversight,” she said.
Moreover, Starlink has previously ignored compliance concerns raised by the regulatory authority.
Cran found that Starlink had previously contravened the Communications Act by operating in Namibia without a valid licence.
“The failure to respond to the authority’s summons demonstrates a disregard for the legal framework and raises doubts about the company’s ability to comply with future licence conditions,” Mufeti said.
The regulatory authority recognised that Starlink passed the remaining three criteria.
Cran said it did not foresee any issues relating to frequency availability or Starlink’s technical and financial capacity.
The company’s entrance into the telecommunications market would also be positive for competition and could enhance connectivity for rural areas.
Minister of information and communication technology Emma Theofelus at the conference said the government welcomes new technology and has approved other satellite-operated licences in the past.
“The government seeks to balance encouraging innovation and investment with the need to ensure full compliance with the legal and regulatory framework,” she said. Namibian Sun last year reported that telecommunication giant Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) was among those who filed a formal objection to Starlink with Cran.
In its objection, MTC reportedly argued that Starlink’s global operating model is “structurally incompatible” with local laws, and that it was controlled entirely outside Namibia.
‘PRIOR VIOLATIONS’
In November 2024, Cran issued a cease and desist order after discovering the unauthorised provision of services and the use of illegal terminals.
MTC claimed at the time that these prior violations provide a mandatory basis for the refusal of a licence under the Communications Act.
Approached for comment yesterday, MTC declined to comment on the rejection of Starlink’s licence application.
Marketing manager Tim Ekandjo said the company would not be issuing a statement on the matter.
“MTC does not wish to comment on Cran’s decision on this matter,” he said. MTC spokesperson John Ekongo also declined to provide further comment on the matter.
At the time of publication, Cran had not provided detailed reasons for the rejection beyond the official notice in the latest Government Gazette.
In November 2024, Cran said Starlink was operating illegally in Namibia without the required telecommunication licence.
“The public is hereby advised not to purchase Starlink terminal equipment or subscribe to its services, as such activities are illegal under Namibian law.
Cran investigators have already confiscated illegal terminals from consumers and have opened criminal cases with the Namibian Police in this regard,” Cran said.
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