SpaceX's satellite internet company, Starlink, has called on Namibians to participate in the public comment period for its license approval and a proposed amendment to the country's regulations. This initiative comes as Starlink prepares for its launch in Namibia, following a previous shutdown of its services in November.
According to a Bloomberg report on Tuesday, Starlink is actively seeking public support for proposed amendments to the country's existing regulations.
Regulatory Amendments Under Consideration
The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) is currently evaluating amendments to a local law that mandates domestic telecoms companies to have a minimum of 51% local ownership. The proposed relaxation of this law is expected to significantly boost Starlink's prospects for launching its services in the country, thereby paving the way for its operations in Namibia.
Furthermore, the regulator had previously published Starlink's license applications in the government's Official Gazette on November 28, inviting public comments for a period of two weeks. This process signifies that the regulator has officially commenced Starlink's licensing procedure, indicating that an official launch is nearing.
Past Regulatory Challenges
Starlink's operational journey in Namibia has encountered previous hurdles. In November, CRAN issued a cease-and-desist order to the Elon Musk-owned company for operating within the country without the necessary license. The regulatory body pointed out that Starlink had initiated operations without obtaining prior regulatory approval.
In addition to the cease-and-desist order, the regulatory body also mandated the confiscation of all Starlink terminal equipment across the nation. Namibians were advised to refrain from importing or using the satellite company's equipment until the licensing process was finalized and compliance with local laws was guaranteed.
Meanwhile, CRAN Director General Emilia Nghikembua noted that Elon Musk's company had submitted an application for a telecommunications service license in Namibia, which had been under review since the previous year.
The publication of its application and the ongoing consideration for local law renewals indicate that the satellite company is approaching its long-anticipated launch in the Southern African nation.
Potential Impact for Namibians
Starlink's potential entry into Namibia has sparked considerable interest due to its promise of delivering high-speed internet through a network of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites.
Currently, 91% of Namibians have access to 2G, 3G, or 4G mobile networks, but this coverage is predominantly concentrated in populated urban areas. The remaining 9% of the population remains outside mobile service zones, a situation attributed to the country's vast geographical size and sparse settlement patterns.
The expectations surrounding Starlink's services also present a significant boost for the company. CRAN Director General Emilia Nghikembua has stated that Namibia is exploring satellite-based services as a means to bridge existing gaps in rural connectivity. Speaking in June, she highlighted that large farming regions and isolated lodges continue to be challenging areas to serve effectively.
"Some areas stretch across more than a million hectares. Terrestrial networks simply cannot reach all of them," Nghikembua remarked.
Starlink will face competition within a Namibian telecoms market currently dominated by established players like MTC and Telecom Namibia. Paratus Namibia, which historically focused on fixed-line services, launched its own 4G mobile network in September 2025.