Namibia has ordered Starlink Inc. to halt all operations in the southwest African country immediately, stating that the satellite internet service, owned by billionaire Elon Musk, is operating without the necessary telecommunications license, Bloomberg reported.
The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia has warned the public against purchasing Starlink terminal equipment or subscribing to its services, stating that such activities are illegal.
“Investigators have already confiscated illegal terminals from consumers and have opened criminal cases with the Namibian police in this regard,” the agency said.
Elon Musk’s Starlink made its African debut in January 2023, with Nigeria as its first launch site. The next-gen satellite internet provider promised to revolutionize high-speed internet connectivity in Africa’s most populous nation, with ambitious plans to expand across the continent.
By October 2023, the service was officially available in seven African countries: Nigeria, Kenya, Mozambique, Rwanda, Malawi, and Zambia. Since then, Starlink has extended its reach to over a dozen African countries, including Mauritius and Sierra Leone.
Demand for Starlink services has surged across sub-Saharan Africa in recent years, driven by the challenges local operators face in delivering fast broadband internet, especially in remote areas far from urban centres. In some cases, people have resorted to trading and activating Starlink terminals illegally.
In October, the SpaceX-affiliated company saw its terminals sell out in Zimbabwe’s capital just two months after receiving regulatory approval to operate there. Authorities in Angola and South Africa have acknowledged being in discussions with Starlink, while Kenya’s largest telecom operator, Safaricom Plc, has also expressed interest.
In Namibia, a vast country larger than Texas with a population of just 2.6 million—many communities are far removed from main hubs, creating significant connectivity challenges.
Although Starlink has applied for a telecommunications service license in Namibia, the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) stated that the application remains under review. Until a license is granted, the importation and use of Starlink terminal equipment are considered illegal, according to CRAN.
According to the company’s website, Starlink services are projected to launch in Namibia in 2025.
