Namibia’s Communications Regulator Confirms Dismissal of Starlink’s Licence Appeals
The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) has confirmed the dismissal of an application by the LEO-satellite internet services provider Starlink, bringing a long-running regulatory dispute closer to its conclusion.
CRAN’s CEO, Emilia Nghikembua, noted that 622 of the 624 applications received did not meet procedural requirements. Of the remaining two, which were procedural and jurisdictional in nature, CRAN found that they brought no new facts and therefore stood to be dismissed. Starlink’s own application for reconsideration was also dismissed, having been submitted outside the statutory appeals period.
Massive Public Interest, but No Application from Starlink
The high volume of reconsideration petitions highlighted the scale of local interest in the satellite internet service. CRAN’s executive for communication and consumer relations, Mufaro Nesongano, confirmed that none of the 624 petitions came from Starlink or its parent company, SpaceX. Instead, all submissions came from local citizens and interested parties dissatisfied with the original ruling.
CRAN also clarified that the power to waive the local ownership requirement rests with Namibia’s Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, rather than with the Authority itself.
The Roots of the Rejection
The dismissal follows a long-running regulatory saga. In March 2026, Namibia denied Starlink both a spectrum licence and a telecommunications licence required to provide satellite services in the country, with the decision published in the government gazette on 23 March without an accompanying explanation at the time.
CRAN later clarified the legal grounds for the rejection at a media briefing in Windhoek. Board Chairperson Tulimevava Mufeti said that while Starlink had met requirements relating to competition, technical and financial capacity, and frequency availability, it had failed to satisfy key criteria on ownership, national security, and compliance history. “Starlink does not comply with the ownership requirements prescribed under Section 46 of the Communications Act, as the entity is wholly foreign-owned,” she said.
Under Section 46, licence holders must have at least 51% Namibian ownership. According to Mufeti, Starlink did not obtain an exemption from this requirement, and CRAN’s assessment found that the company met only three of the six criteria required under the Communications Act, falling short of approval.
A History of Regulatory Friction
Starlink’s path to market access in Namibia has been marked by repeated setbacks. In November 2024, CRAN formally ordered the company to halt its satellite internet operations in the country, citing the absence of a required telecommunications licence. The regulator also cautioned consumers against purchasing Starlink equipment at the time and reported confiscating unauthorised terminals.
Despite this, public sentiment has remained firmly in Starlink’s favour. During a public consultation in December 2025, over 98% of public comments supported the company’s entry into the Namibian market, underscoring strong consumer demand despite persistent regulatory hurdles.