Namibia Bans Elon Musk's Starlink... For Now

Namibia has ordered Starlink, the satellite internet service owned by billionaire Elon Musk, to immediately cease all operations in the country. The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia CRAN stated that Starlink is operating without the necessary telecommunications license, and as a result, consumers are advised not to purchase Starlink terminal equipment or subscribe to its services. The authority has already confiscated illegal terminals from consumers and opened criminal cases with the Namibian police in connection with these activities.

The demand for Starlink services in sub-Saharan Africa has grown significantly in recent years, as many local internet providers struggle to deliver fast and reliable broadband, particularly in rural areas. In some cases, individuals have resorted to illegally trading and activating Starlink terminals. In Zimbabwe, Starlink terminals sold out rapidly in October, just two months after receiving approval to operate in the country. Other countries, such as Angola, South Africa, and Kenya, are also in talks with Starlink about operating there.

Namibia, a vast country with a population of about 2.6 million, faces significant challenges in providing connectivity to rural areas, making satellite-based internet a potential solution. However, without the proper regulatory approvals, Starlinks operations in the country remain illegal.