Starlink promises digital lifeline for Namibia

Namibia stands on the threshold of a communications revolution, one that holds immense promise for national development, digital inclusion, and global competitiveness.

The recent public debate over the licensing of Starlink, a global leader in satellite-based internet services, has brought to the fore both enthusiasm and concern.

As a regulated communications service provider, Paratus Namibia welcomes this debate and wishes to contribute a factual, forward-looking perspective on what Starlink or any other future low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite, like OneWeb (active), Amazon’s Kuiper, or even China’s rapid development in the LEO space, can mean for Namibia, and why embracing it is in our collective national interest.

LEAP FORWARD

LEO satellite technology, such as that deployed by Starlink, is arguably the most transformative advancement in communications in almost 150 years since the invention of the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876.

It has the power to deliver high-speed internet anywhere in the world, including the most remote corners of Namibia instantly and affordably.

In a country with vast geography and a sparse population, no single operator, including ourselves, can realistically cover 100% of the territory using terrestrial infrastructure. But Starlink can, and other LEO operators will.

This is not a theoretical promise; it is an operational reality. Within days of licensing, Starlink is capable of providing instant connectivity to every school, clinic, farm, and lodge across Namibia.

The cost of connecting a rural school via Starlink is already lower than what Paratus or any other operator can offer, even with the goodwill and support of the flagship Eduvision initiative, which already connects over 12 000 pupils in remote communities at no cost to pupils for almost seven years already.

TRANSFORMATIVE BENEFITS

The arrival of Starlink presents a turning point for several strategic sectors in Namibia.

It has the potential to dramatically accelerate scientific research, especially in fields that require high-volume data transmission and collaboration with international partners.

Tourism operators in remote areas will gain reliable internet access, improving guest services and safety communications. Farmers and agribusinesses can harness precision agriculture and real-time market data to improve productivity and resilience.

Most importantly, Starlink offers a lifeline to rural education, where poor connectivity has left thousands of pupils at a permanent disadvantage. Imagine schools at Aus, Tsumkwe or those in the Oshana region. Rural schools, where children from less affluent households already face structural inequality, will finally have access to the same educational content, digital platforms, and communication tools as their urban counterparts. The digital divide in education, arguably the most harmful and persistent form of inequality, can be narrowed, if not closed, with urgency and impact.

Likewise, rural telecommunications development stands to benefit immensely. For decades, the economics of infrastructure investment have left rural areas underserved, and rural citizens marginalised.

Starlink breaks this barrier, not in theory, but in practice. Its model is scalable, fast to deploy, and economically viable where others are not.

EDULINK AND EDUVISION

Paratus Edulink recently launched in several African countries, connecting schools in Botswana, Eswatini, Kenya, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia, and Rwanda to high-speed Starlink-powered internet.

The package includes installation, training, support, and 2TB of bandwidth per month. Schools in these countries are already benefiting from full digital access, online learning, and educational transformation.

In stark contrast, Eduvision, Namibia’s pioneering initiative for rural digital learning, continues to face severe limitations, not because of lack of will or capacity, but because Namibia has not yet licensed Starlink or other LEO providers.

Eduvision cannot currently be deployed in Namibia on the same basis and with the same benefits as Edulink, due to this regulatory impasse.

This means that while pupils across the continent move forward, Namibia’s rural schools, home to our most disadvantaged pupils, are being left behind.

New technology is developing exponentially faster than the regulators can keep up with, not just in Namibia, but everywhere.

Out of all the examples in the evolution of telecommunications, the telegraph, fax, telephone, geostationary orbit satellite, mobile phone, low earth satellite, and artificial intelligence (AI), AI will have the most profound effect on society, exponentially more profound than LEO satellite.

AI and education will have a bigger and more immediate impact than LEO satellite services.

Then vice president Nangolo Mbumba inaugurated Eduvision at Tsumkwe Secondary School on 6 August 2018, which was the very first school in Namibia to be connected to the Eduvision initiative.

In the almost seven years since the inception of Eduvision, the positive impact has been remarkable.

If you compare the results of any of the schools in the beginning with results achieved now, it tells you one of the most wonderful stories of changed lives.

By denying the opportunity of a dedicated internet connection of a school anywhere in the country, irrespective of how remote, only a fraction of the pupils in Namibia have the privilege right now to rise above the rest.

Starlink will have proper competition in the future, and we will have more options available, but at the moment we are left behind.

AI: GREATER IMPACT THAN STARLINK

As mentioned above, the real ‘threat’ in the new global era of digitalisation and communication is AI, more than any satellite connection.

We connected the ‘AI lab’ at A Shipena Secondary School last September with good quality internet via microwave, at no cost to the school.

The impact of a locally developed AI tool by some young and clever Namibians have already been tested at a number of schools throughout Namibia.

The impact of AI at A Shipena Secondary School we have observed is profound. We can write another comprehensive article on just AI alone in Namibia.

It’s a much bigger concern than the Starlink licence.

AI is already in schools globally. Do we perceive AI as a threat to our current education structure, or are we going to restructure the entire schooling system by embracing AI technology and leaping ahead of our African neighbours?

NOT THE FIRST

Some have raised concerns over the fact that Starlink will not be mostly locally owned.

This concern, while understandable in the context of Namibia’s investment and empowerment policy objectives, overlooks key precedents and practical considerations.

The Communications Regulatory Authority (Cran) of Namibia has already approved at least two licensees in the information and communication technology (ICT) sector who do not meet the 51% local ownership threshold, with special licence conditions attached – without much public controversy.

Starlink, therefore, is not breaking new ground in this regard.

More importantly, the net national benefit Starlink offers far outweighs the theoretical advantage of enforcing local equity ownership in this case.

Starlink is not displacing local providers; it is complementing and expanding the market in ways no local provider can currently achieve.

The opportunity for all Namibians, including businesses, students, and the government, to access more affordable, high-speed internet anywhere is a game-changer that must be seized.

DATA SOVEREIGNTY

One of the arguments raised by critics is the concept of ‘data sovereignty’, suggesting that allowing Starlink into Namibia would jeopardise control over national data.

This concern is based on a misunderstanding of how modern digital infrastructure works.

Starlink and other LEO operators like OneWeb do not store data.

They transmit data, nothing more. Users decide what data is transmitted, where it is stored, and how it is managed.

Today, virtually every application we use, Office 365, Meta, WhatsApp, Instagram, Google, LinkedIn, and even AI platforms like ChatGPT store data in the cloud across international jurisdictions.

Data sovereignty, in this context, is already a myth.

The only way to protect your data, irrespective the physical location, is by developing a strict network or cybersecurity policy and implementation.

Most important afterwards would be the enforcing and constant maintenance of such a policy. Trust us, we know. You do not wish upon anyone the terrible feeling of complete helplessness if your network has been compromised.

We have a complete understanding of people’s data concerns and who has access to your data and how it’s being used.

That very concern is the main motivation of our significant investments in data centres across Africa, including Namibia. Our data can be safely housed in Namibia.

Regulatory oversight is important and necessary. But to conflate the transmission layer (which Starlink provides) with data storage and control is to mischaracterise both the technology and the risks.

Once licensed in Namibia, Starlink will be subject to all applicable local regulations, including governing tariffs, consumer protection, and data privacy.

They would have to adhere or be scolded by the regulator. This is what happened to them in Nigeria in October 2024 when they changed the pricing structure without following protocol. The Nigerian Communications Commission stated that their unilateral price hike violated the licence conditions, and Starlink had to revise its price structure.

A THREAT TO LOCAL PROVIDERS?

Yes, absolutely. Botswana awarded Starlink a licence last May.

BTC in Botswana just launched a 300Meg service on fibre for approximately N$1 000 per month.

There is nothing in the Starlink product set that can beat that, not at the price nor download speed.

What can we derive from this reaction in the Botswana market?

One, satellite will never beat fibre. Two, Botswana had already invested in fibre infrastructure before Starlink’s launch.

Three, Botswana and Rwanda, like many other African countries, are progressive in their technology-embracing drives.

Contrary to fears, Starlink’s business model does not offer exclusive partnerships.

Any small or large telecommunications business can become a Starlink partner, but there is no real benefit unless you can contribute massive volumes to the relationship.

Also, in countries like Rwanda, Botswana, Mozambique, and Nigeria, Starlink has developed local infrastructure uncoerced.

These countries do not demand ownership concessions to secure investment, yet they are already benefiting from improved access.

Moreover, Starlink is geared for massive volume delivery. Local internet service providers (ISPs), system integrators, and digital service companies stand to benefit from partnerships, sales, installations, and the development of value-added services on top of Starlink infrastructure.

There is room and opportunity for everyone.

At Paratus, we are already experiencing a systematic loss of terminals in our geosynchronous (GEO)-orbit satellite services across Africa, making it imperative that we embrace next-generation technologies such as Starlink and OneWeb.

If we do not act now, we risk losing these customers.

If we need to be brutally honest about the threat to local operators, yes, unfortunately the smaller operators and ISPs will suffer, but that is part of the evolution of technology.

For any bigger state-owned operators, we also need to ask an honest question: Why would any country in the world continue to keep a loss-making incumbent on life support at the expense of taxpayers and bar any new technology which is a critical game changer?

BALANCED APPROACH

As a licensed operator committed to Namibia’s long-term development, Paratus Namibia supports a regulatory environment that is fair, pragmatic, and forward looking.

We understand that policy must balance national development objectives with empowerment. But empowerment does not always mean ownership – especially not ownership that deters investment or delays progress.

The arrival of Starlink and others eventually should not be viewed with fear, but with vision. It gives us a once-in-a-generation opportunity to leapfrog outdated infrastructure challenges, close the rural-urban divide, and unlock new economic potential.

We trust that the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia, policymakers, and all stakeholders will recognise that the licensing of Starlink, just like previous non-majority-owned licensees, is consistent with both our national interests and our global obligations.

WHERE ARE WE NOW?

In a recent article, minister of information and communication technology Emma Theofelus raised valid concerns about the potential risks posed by Starlink’s entry into Namibia, including possible impacts on local telecommunications providers and job losses.

While these concerns are understandable, it is important to note that the greatest competitive pressure is likely to be felt by smaller service providers – a trend that is inevitable in any industry faced with rapid technological evolution.

The minister also correctly noted that Starlink is the first company of its kind seeking 100% foreign ownership in Namibia.

However, Namibia’s regulatory framework has yet to keep pace with global developments. More than 120 countries, including over 20 countries in Africa, have already licensed Starlink by adapting their regulations to embrace technological innovation. These countries are now benefiting from improved connectivity and modernised infrastructure, while Namibia risks being left behind.

Security concerns, including those related to national safety, are also valid. However, Namibia’s existing networks face far greater threats from persistent internal and external cyberattacks.

In fact, the lack of advanced satellite technology and redundancy exposes the country to the risk of near-instantaneous national disruption.

Dear minister, we must have a coffee to discuss that last statement. Rather than weakening our security, although limited, satellite connectivity could provide critical backup infrastructure in times of crisis especially in the remote areas.

Remember the devastating fires in California in January which knocked out cellular and power infrastructure?

Starlink potentially saved many lives during that crisis. It will also strengthen national resilience in the long term.

Irrespective our fears or our misgivings, we have no option but to embrace new technology as soon as possible, otherwise Namibia will be left further behind.

At Paratus we remain committed to working alongside all actors, local and international, to build a stronger, better-connected Namibia.

EMBRACING TECHNOLOGY

Namibia cannot develop without technology. Our economy, our schools, our hospitals, and our businesses depend increasingly on access to reliable, fast, and more affordable internet.

To deny ourselves the benefits of cutting-edge communication technology on account of bureaucratic caution would be self-defeating.

Arthur C Clarke, widely regarded as the father of the modern communications satellite, once said: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”

He foresaw the rise of global internet access, and he also urged humanity back in 1964 to embrace AI when it arrives.

Today, we are living in the very future he imagined.

If Namibia fails to embrace LEO satellite technology now, we risk being left behind, not only in education and healthcare, but also in digital trade, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

It will also be of benefit to our safety and security, as long as a country does not use the technology to conduct wars.

This is specifically prohibited in the Starlink terms and conditions.

Our small market size means we already struggle to attract private investment into costly, long-haul infrastructure.

It is time to acknowledge that infrastructure development, while critical, is not something that can or should be imposed solely on foreign investors.

It is our own responsibility, and we must leverage every opportunity that can help us achieve it.

*Barney Harmse is the executive chairman of the Paratus Group in Africa.

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