• Namibia rejected Starlink’s license application after the company met only three of six regulatory criteria.

• Authorities cited concerns over data sovereignty, regulatory compliance, and local ownership requirements.

• Officials remain open to reconsidering a revised application despite the rejection.

Authorities in Namibia rejected a license application from Starlink, the satellite internet provider owned by Elon Musk. Officials announced the decision on Monday, March 23, and stated that the company failed to meet all required conditions to operate in the country.

Emma Theofelus, Minister of Information and Communication Technology, and Tulimevava Mufeti, Chairperson of the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia, presented the decision during a press conference on Tuesday, March 24.

Starlink submitted its application in June 2024 as part of its broader expansion across Africa, where it already operates in around 30 countries.

Partial Compliance

Authorities evaluated the application against six criteria: competition, technical and financial capacity, spectrum availability, ownership and control, national defense and public security, and compliance history. Officials stated that Starlink satisfied only half of these requirements.

Regulators said the project could strengthen competition and improve connectivity in underserved areas. They also confirmed that Starlink demonstrated sufficient technical and financial capacity and that required frequency bands were available.

However, authorities raised concerns regarding national defense and public security. They highlighted risks related to data sovereignty, jurisdiction, and the ability of regulators to exercise oversight over the company’s operations.

Regulators also flagged compliance issues. Authorities stated that Starlink operated without a license and failed to respond to regulatory requests, which undermined its regulatory credibility.

Authorities stated that Starlink failed to meet legal requirements on ownership and control. Namibian regulations require at least 51% local ownership in telecommunications companies.

Officials said that the applying entity is fully owned by foreign shareholders, which violates national laws. This factor contributed significantly to the rejection of the application.

Future Prospects Remain Open

Despite the rejection, authorities signaled openness to reconsidering Starlink’s entry into the market. Officials reiterated their commitment to expanding internet access through satellite technology.

“All applicants are invited to revise their submissions, review the elements that led to the rejection, and resubmit their applications to the authority, which we will be happy to reassess. We fully welcome all internet service providers into the country to contribute to our national development objectives,” Minister Theofelus said.

Starlink has not issued a public response. However, the company’s availability map indicates that it still plans to launch commercial operations in Namibia this year. The company aims to reduce the digital divide in the country.

Starlink estimates that, once authorized, it could provide internet access to 65% of schools without reliable connectivity, 80% of healthcare facilities limited to 3G or less, and more than one million Namibians who remain offline, particularly in rural areas.

“Beyond its immediate impact for individuals, businesses and public infrastructure, Starlink’s satellite network can also ensure reliable communications during emergencies, when terrestrial networks may be compromised, which is crucial for a country exposed to natural disasters such as floods and droughts,” the company said on its website.

This article was initially published in French by Isaac K. Kassouwi

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum