STAFF REPORTER
Elon Musk, the South African-born, American billionaire behind Tesla and SpaceX, has officially registered a local company in Namibia, signaling a step closer to bringing his satellite internet service Starlink to the country.
In 2024, Starlink, Musk’s satellite internet company, applied for a licence from the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) but the application met delays. Namibian law requires foreign telecom companies to have majority local ownership. Under the Communications Act of 2009, Starlink, being fully foreign-owned, would normally need a Namibian partner or a special exemption from the Minister of Information and Communication Technology. Its licence application is reportedly pending because of this requirement.
Starlink Business Operations vice president and senior director Lauren Dreyer yesterday confirmed that a local company has already been set up.
“We have already established a local Namibian company. We are discussing agreements with local retailers and resellers. We stand ready to pay all required fees and taxes – just like other operators,” she said in a statement.
The service is marketed as a compact, portable kit that can easily fit in a backpack, offering high-speed, low-latency internet on the go. Proponents call it reliable high-speed internet from space.
Dreyer said Starlink can immediately introduce affordable broadband to Namibians no matter where they are located.
“Reliable high-speed internet is essential for education, healthcare, business and public services. Starlink looks forward to connecting underserved communities across Namibia,” she said.
GOVT EVALUATES STARLINK APPLICATION
The Namibian government, through CRAN, is now reviewing Starlink’s application to become a registered internet service provider. The application was submitted in June 2024.
Last week, CRAN announced that the application was published in Government Gazette 8795 under Notice Number 897, inviting the public and stakeholders to submit written comments within 14 days from 28 November, which lapses on 12 December.
CRAN spokesperson Mufaro Nesongano said the publication marks a critical step in the licensing process, allowing stakeholders and the public to review the application details.
“Once the comments have been received, CRAN will consider the application in full and evaluate it against the licensing criteria set out in section 39 of the Communications Act and licensing regulations,” he said.
Nesongano said these criteria include ownership structures, technical and financial capabilities, confidentiality and neutrality of service, standards and specifications, and network provisions relating to national defence, public security, and fair competition.
“We clarify that the outcome of the ownership application has been received from the Minister of Information and Communication Technology and, in terms of the law, the full licence applications must now be assessed against all applicable criteria, including ownership,” he said.
Dreyer said Starlink welcomes the evaluation process.
“We are so excited that CRAN is now evaluating Starlink’s license application.
Some African countries such as Zimbabwe, Kenya, Ghana, Botswana, Malawi, Madagascar, and the Democratic Republic of Congo have already made exemptions and allowed Starlink to operate.
“These countries are accelerating towards a digital future. Fortunately, Namibian law already gives ICT minister Emma Theofelus the power to grant similar ownership flexibility. So a similar future is possible for Namibia,” said Dreyer.
Dreyer added “Namibia is at a pivotal moment in its digital future. The country ranks 149 out of 156 countries in median download speed and fixed internet penetration rates are below 5%.”
Musk yesterday said, “Support Starlink in Namibia.”
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