Namibian Regulator Orders Starlink to Cease Operations Over Licensing Violations
The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) has issued a cease-and-desist order to SpaceX’s satellite internet provider Starlink, instructing the company to immediately halt all operations in the country due to a lack of required telecommunications licensing.
According to CRAN’s statement, an investigation has determined that Starlink has been operating a network within Namibia without the necessary licensing. As a result, the regulator has not only ordered Starlink to cease its activities but has also mandated the confiscation of all Starlink terminal equipment across the country.
“Following an investigation, CRAN has established that Starlink is operating a network within Namibia without the required telecommunications license. On 26 November 2024, the Authority issued a cease-and-desist order to Starlink, instructing the company to immediately cease all operations in Namibia,” the CRAN statement read.
Furthermore, the regulator has advised Namibian citizens against purchasing or using Starlink equipment, as such activities are deemed illegal under Namibian law. CRAN emphasized that it is committed to ensuring all telecommunications services in the country comply with the legal framework, and has indicated that criminal cases have been filed with the Namibian Police against any violators.
“The public is hereby advised not to purchase Starlink terminal equipment or subscribe to its services, as such activities are illegal under Namibian law,” the regulator continued.
CRAN CEO Emilia Nghikembua warned that legal action would be taken against anyone contravening the regulations as enshrined in the Communications Act (No8 of 2009). She stated that until Starlink is granted the necessary license, the importation of its terminal equipment and the use of its services constitute regulatory offenses.
This development comes despite Starlink having submitted a license application to CRAN, which has not yet been approved. The regulatory impasse is particularly noteworthy given that Namibian President Nangolo Mbumba had met with SpaceX CEO Elon Musk on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in September 2024.
Starlink’s expansion into Africa has faced similar regulatory challenges in other countries. In Nigeria, the company had to temporarily suspend new residential kit orders due to a proposed price increase that required regulatory approval. Cameroon also banned the import of Starlink equipment and seized devices at the border earlier this year.
As Starlink continues to navigate the complexities of operating in different African markets, the Namibian case highlights the importance of compliance with local telecommunications laws and the need for close collaboration between service providers and regulatory authorities to ensure a smooth and legal rollout of internet services across the continent.
