Allexer Namundjembo
The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) has rejected Starlink’s application to operate in Namibia.
The decision was published in the government gazette on Monday.
Starlink, a company under Elon Musk’s SpaceX, had applied for a telecommunications service licence and a spectrum licence to provide satellite internet services.
“The authority resolved to decline the award of a class comprehensive telecommunications service licence (ECS and ECNS) for Starlink Internet Services Namibia (Pty) Limited,” Cran stated.
Cran also rejected the request for radio frequency allocation.
“The authority resolved to decline the award of a spectrum licence to Starlink Internet Services Namibia (Pty) Limited for the provision of satellite services,” the Gazette said.
Starlink proposed a fixed-satellite service using the 10.7–12.7 GHz band for downlink and 14.0–14.5 GHz for uplink.
According to Cran, the application showed 0% Namibian ownership.
Cran said the decision can still be reviewed.
“The authority may, on its own motion or on a petition filed by an aggrieved party to any proceedings, reconsider any order or decision that it has made, within 90 days of this notice.”
Technology expert Nrupesh Soni said the decision may be seen as a missed opportunity.
“That’s exactly the gap solutions like Starlink are designed to fill. We’re talking about the ability to connect farms, lodges, schools, and entire remote communities almost overnight. From tourism to agri-tech to remote work, the multiplier effect of reliable high-speed internet in those areas is massive. In that sense, the decision could be seen as us delaying access to a technology that could have accelerated digital inclusion and economic participation, especially outside the main urban centres,” he explained.
Soni said to the Windhoek Observer on Monday that the issue also relates to regulation and national policy.
“Allowing a global player like Starlink in without aligning to local ownership, compliance, and regulatory frameworks risks opening a door that becomes very difficult to close later. Local ISPs, existing infrastructure investments, and even future national digital strategies could be impacted if the playing field isn’t balanced. So this decision may not be anti-innovation; it may be Namibia saying, ‘You are welcome, but on terms that ensure local participation, accountability, and alignment with our policies,’ he added.
Soni said the focus should be on how the company can operate in Namibia.
“The real question is not whether Starlink should be in Namibia, but how it should be in Namibia.”
Starlink first applied in June 2024. The application was published for public consultation in November 2025. The rejection means the company cannot operate in Namibia under the current application.
Namibian law requires that telecommunications licences not be controlled by non-Namibians and that foreign ownership not exceed 49%.
Other African countries, including Zimbabwe, South Africa, Senegal, Ghana and Botswana, have also rejected Starlink due to similar rules.
Starlink’s application was said to be putting pressure on Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC).
However, MTC previously said is confident of its position in the market.
Starlink operates a network of low-earth-orbit satellites and has more than three million users worldwide.
