KEY POINTS
- The licensing review is now open for public comment.
- Starlink’s licensing review follows an earlier halt order.
- Namibia is weighing satellite options to fill rural gaps.
Namibia has moved closer to granting formal approval to Starlink, the satellite internet unit of Elon Musk’s SpaceX. The country’s telecom regulator opened a public review of the company’s license applications, publishing the documents in the Official Gazette on Nov. 28. The move places Starlink back into a regulated process months after the company was told to halt activity while its filings were under review.
Licensing review for the focus keyphrase
Starlink’s licensing review has entered a decisive phase as the company seeks a national telecommunications license to run its satellite-based broadband network. Its plan aims to supply high-speed internet through low-Earth orbit satellites, connecting homes and businesses across Namibia. The company’s terminals could also add capacity for mobile operators that face coverage constraints in remote areas. Starlink also applied for a spectrum license for the 10.7–14.7 GHz bands, though the regulator has not disclosed proposed fees or any financial terms. The review follows a cease-and-desist order issued earlier in the year after the regulator determined the company had started providing service without a telecom license, even though an application was pending.
Connectivity gaps shape the licensing review
Interest in Starlink’s entry has grown as Namibia explores satellite options to close rural coverage gaps. CRAN Director General Emilia Nghikembua said in June that vast farming districts and isolated lodges remain underserved. She noted that some regions span more than a million hectares, making conventional networks difficult to extend. Most residents have access to 2G, 3G or 4G, but nearly 9 percent remain outside mobile coverage due to the country’s size and sparse settlement. Starlink’s possible arrival comes at a time of increased competition. MTC and Telecom Namibia have dominated the sector for years, while Paratus, once focused on fixed-line services, launched a 4G mobile network in September 2025.
Starlink’s broader push in Africa
According to Billionaire Africa, Starlink began operating in Africa in 2022, using its growing constellation to reach communities outside traditional service zones. Musk, whose wealth Bloomberg estimates at $468 billion, has said the company will expand wherever regulators grant permission. The company has recently strengthened its African presence through new partnerships. Vodacom agreed last month to offer Starlink’s high-speed service to business customers on the continent. In October, Starlink and Cisco partnered with Rwanda to support connectivity and digital training. The company also secured regulatory approval this year in Lesotho, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
