Namibia has declined to grant Starlink a telecommunications license and access to radio spectrum, effectively preventing the satellite internet service from operating within the country.
The decision was announced by the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN), which confirmed that the application had been refused. The regulator did not provide detailed reasons for the rejection but stated that Starlink retains the right to appeal the decision within ninety days.
This is not the first time the company has faced regulatory action in Namibia. In November 2024, CRAN ordered Starlink to halt its operations after determining that the service had been operating without the necessary authorization. Authorities also confiscated some of the company’s equipment during that enforcement action.
Starlink, the satellite internet service developed by SpaceX, has been expanding steadily across the African continent as governments seek to improve connectivity in underserved areas. However, its entry into several markets has also triggered regulatory debates over licensing procedures, spectrum management, and the impact on existing telecommunications providers.
Namibia’s decision highlights the ongoing regulatory hurdles the company continues to encounter in parts of Africa, where national authorities maintain strict oversight of telecommunications infrastructure and market access.
