Namibia’s Communications Regulatory Authority (CRAN) has issued a cease-and-desist order to Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, citing the company’s failure to obtain the necessary telecommunications license to operate in the country.
Starlink, a division of SpaceX, has rapidly expanded across Africa, offering high-speed internet in remote regions where traditional telecom infrastructure is limited. However, regulatory challenges and opposition from state-owned telecom monopolies have slowed its growth in some countries.
According to CRAN, while Starlink has applied for a telecommunications service license in Namibia, the application is still under review. Until the license is granted, the importation and use of Starlink’s satellite terminals in Namibia are illegal.
“Consumers are advised against purchasing or subscribing to Starlink services at this time,” CRAN warned in a statement. The regulator also confirmed that unauthorized Starlink terminals have been confiscated, and criminal cases have been filed with the Namibian police against those involved in their distribution and use.
Starlink made its African debut in Nigeria in January 2023, with promises of revolutionizing internet access across the continent. By late 2023, the service had expanded to seven African countries, including Kenya, Mozambique, and Zambia, and later reached more than a dozen others, such as Mauritius and Sierra Leone.
The service has been particularly popular in sub-Saharan Africa, where traditional telecom providers struggle to deliver reliable broadband, especially in rural and underserved areas.
Namibia, with a population of just 2.6 million spread across a vast area larger than Texas, faces significant challenges in providing connectivity to remote communities. While demand for Starlink’s services is high, CRAN has reiterated that the company must comply with local regulations before offering its services in the country.
Until then, CRAN has prohibited the importation and activation of Starlink terminals.
According to Starlink’s website, the company aims to officially launch services in Namibia by 2025, pending regulatory approval.
The regulatory standoff highlights the broader challenges faced by global tech companies in navigating the regulatory landscapes of African markets, where demand for innovative solutions often outpaces the legal frameworks governing their operations.