Namibia has taken a major step toward formally approving Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite-internet service, after years of anticipation and regulatory back-and-forth. The country’s telecom regulator, the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN), has officially opened the licensing process.
On November 28, CRAN published Starlink’s applications in the government’s Official Gazette and invited the public to submit comments for two weeks, a key stage required before any authorization can be granted.
Starlink is applying for a national telecommunications license that would allow it to provide high-speed internet across Namibia using its network of low-Earth-orbit satellites. Alongside this, the company seeks a spectrum license covering the 10.7–14.7 GHz frequency bands, which are essential for its satellite signals.
CRAN has not yet disclosed the financial terms, proposed fees, or obligations that would accompany approval.
The renewed review follows a tense episode earlier in the year when the regulator ordered Starlink to halt all operations, arguing that the company had begun offering services before receiving official authorisation even though it had already filed its application. With this new public consultation, the process appears to be back on track.
Interest in Starlink is being driven by Namibia’s longstanding connectivity gaps, especially in rural and sparsely populated areas. CRAN Director General Emilia Nghikembua has repeatedly stressed the importance of satellite-based services in a country defined by vast tracts of land, remote farming communities, and isolated tourist lodges. According to her, some regions stretch over a million hectares, making traditional mobile networks difficult and expensive to deploy.
While 91 percent of Namibians live within 2G, 3G, or 4G coverage, the remaining 9 percent scattered across Namibia’s expansive terrain remain underserved.
The potential arrival of Starlink also comes at a competitive moment. For years, Namibia’s mobile-network market has been dominated by MTC and Telecom Namibia. But in September 2025, Paratus, historically a fixed-line provider entered the mobile space with its own 4G network, signaling a shift toward more diversified infrastructure. Adding satellite broadband into the mix could further reshape the competitive landscape, especially in remote regions.
Across Africa, Starlink has been steadily expanding since its debut on the continent in 2022. Elon Musk, whose wealth is estimated at $468 billion by Bloomberg, has repeatedly emphasized that the service will continue growing wherever regulators grant approval.
The company has strengthened its African presence through partnerships and regulatory breakthroughs: Vodacom recently signed a deal to provide Starlink’s high-speed service to businesses, and Starlink is collaborating with Cisco and the Rwandan government to improve connectivity and digital skills. In 2025 alone, the service secured authorization in Lesotho, Somalia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
With Namibia now formally reviewing its applications, Starlink stands closer than ever to joining the country’s expanding digital ecosystem,potentially transforming internet access for remote communities and intensifying competition among service providers
