Most Namibians cannot afford Starlink, MTC says
Starlink model incompatible with affordability goals
MTC says Starlink’s pricing structure – with installation reportedly costing around N$6 000 and monthly subscriptions of about N$1 000 – is at odds with Namibia’s affordability and universal access goals.
The telecommunications company this month noted that Namibia’s average revenue per user is below N$100, making Starlink inaccessible to most households and unlikely to contribute meaningfully to universal service goals.
The telecom giant’s warning is contained in its written objection to the granting of a telecommunications service licence and spectrum licences to Starlink Internet Services Namibia (Pty) Ltd, warning that the satellite operator’s business model is incompatible with Namibia’s regulatory, security and economic framework.
In a submission to the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN), MTC said Starlink’s global satellite architecture is controlled entirely outside Namibia. The company warned this would prevent the regulator from enforcing core obligations under the Communications Act of 2009, including lawful interception, spectrum monitoring, quality-of-service compliance and universal service requirements.
The company also criticised CRAN’s decision to treat Starlink’s full application as confidential, arguing that the blanket non-disclosure undermines transparency and meaningful public participation in a statutory licensing process.
It added that it was forced to make submissions on a hypothetical basis because supporting technical, operational and financial details were withheld.
Jurisdiction
MTC further cited Starlink’s prior unlawful operations in Namibia, noting that the regulator had previously confirmed the provision of services without a licence, leading to enforcement action.
The telecoms firm argued that this conduct constitutes grounds for refusal under section 39 of the Communications Act.
On national security and data sovereignty, MTC warned that Starlink would route all communications outside Namibia, placing data beyond the jurisdiction of Namibian courts and law enforcement agencies.
It said the operator cannot comply with interception obligations because it operates no local gateways, switching centres or mediation devices in the country.
The company also raised concerns about economic and sectoral impacts, arguing that Starlink proposes no meaningful local investment in infrastructure or employment, while domestic operators have invested billions in networks, power systems, distribution and customer support.
Licensing Starlink without equivalent obligations, it warned, would distort competition and undermine long-term investment in Namibia’s telecommunications sector.
MTC urged CRAN to reject the licence applications, maintaining that Starlink has failed to meet the regulatory threshold requirements and poses risks to national security, regulatory enforcement, and fair competition.
Starlink’s attempted entry into the Namibian market has unfolded amid heightened regulatory scrutiny from CRAN, the statutory authority established under the Communications Act of 2009 to regulate telecommunications, broadcasting, and spectrum use.
In June 2024, Starlink Internet Services Namibia (Pty) Ltd submitted formal applications for a national telecommunications service licence and related spectrum licences to enable the rollout of its low-Earth-orbit satellite internet services nationwide.
Unauthorised use
Before those applications were approved, CRAN found that Starlink equipment was already being used in Namibia without authorisation.
This prompted the regulator in late 2024 to issue a cease-and-desist order, warn the public that the importation and use of Starlink terminals was illegal, and confiscate unlicensed equipment, with some cases referred to the Namibian police.
As part of the statutory licensing process, CRAN published Starlink’s applications in the Government Gazette on 28 November 2025, opening a 14-day public consultation period that closed on 12 December.
The regulator later confirmed that it had received more than 1 000 public submissions, most of them supportive, along with several substantive objections requiring assessment.
CRAN has indicated that it will decide on Starlink’s licence applications by the end of the first quarter of 2026, after evaluating all submissions and determining whether the applicant meets the requirements of the Communications Act.
Starlink has maintained that it has incorporated a local Namibian entity, engaged retailers and resellers, and is willing to pay fees and taxes, arguing that its satellite broadband service could expand connectivity in underserved and remote areas.
The telecommunications company this month noted that Namibia’s average revenue per user is below N$100, making Starlink inaccessible to most households and unlikely to contribute meaningfully to universal service goals.
The telecom giant’s warning is contained in its written objection to the granting of a telecommunications service licence and spectrum licences to Starlink Internet Services Namibia (Pty) Ltd, warning that the satellite operator’s business model is incompatible with Namibia’s regulatory, security and economic framework.
In a submission to the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN), MTC said Starlink’s global satellite architecture is controlled entirely outside Namibia. The company warned this would prevent the regulator from enforcing core obligations under the Communications Act of 2009, including lawful interception, spectrum monitoring, quality-of-service compliance and universal service requirements.
The company also criticised CRAN’s decision to treat Starlink’s full application as confidential, arguing that the blanket non-disclosure undermines transparency and meaningful public participation in a statutory licensing process.
It added that it was forced to make submissions on a hypothetical basis because supporting technical, operational and financial details were withheld.
Jurisdiction
MTC further cited Starlink’s prior unlawful operations in Namibia, noting that the regulator had previously confirmed the provision of services without a licence, leading to enforcement action.
The telecoms firm argued that this conduct constitutes grounds for refusal under section 39 of the Communications Act.
On national security and data sovereignty, MTC warned that Starlink would route all communications outside Namibia, placing data beyond the jurisdiction of Namibian courts and law enforcement agencies.
It said the operator cannot comply with interception obligations because it operates no local gateways, switching centres or mediation devices in the country.
The company also raised concerns about economic and sectoral impacts, arguing that Starlink proposes no meaningful local investment in infrastructure or employment, while domestic operators have invested billions in networks, power systems, distribution and customer support.
Licensing Starlink without equivalent obligations, it warned, would distort competition and undermine long-term investment in Namibia’s telecommunications sector.
MTC urged CRAN to reject the licence applications, maintaining that Starlink has failed to meet the regulatory threshold requirements and poses risks to national security, regulatory enforcement, and fair competition.
Starlink’s attempted entry into the Namibian market has unfolded amid heightened regulatory scrutiny from CRAN, the statutory authority established under the Communications Act of 2009 to regulate telecommunications, broadcasting, and spectrum use.
In June 2024, Starlink Internet Services Namibia (Pty) Ltd submitted formal applications for a national telecommunications service licence and related spectrum licences to enable the rollout of its low-Earth-orbit satellite internet services nationwide.
Unauthorised use
Before those applications were approved, CRAN found that Starlink equipment was already being used in Namibia without authorisation.
This prompted the regulator in late 2024 to issue a cease-and-desist order, warn the public that the importation and use of Starlink terminals was illegal, and confiscate unlicensed equipment, with some cases referred to the Namibian police.
As part of the statutory licensing process, CRAN published Starlink’s applications in the Government Gazette on 28 November 2025, opening a 14-day public consultation period that closed on 12 December.
The regulator later confirmed that it had received more than 1 000 public submissions, most of them supportive, along with several substantive objections requiring assessment.
CRAN has indicated that it will decide on Starlink’s licence applications by the end of the first quarter of 2026, after evaluating all submissions and determining whether the applicant meets the requirements of the Communications Act.
Starlink has maintained that it has incorporated a local Namibian entity, engaged retailers and resellers, and is willing to pay fees and taxes, arguing that its satellite broadband service could expand connectivity in underserved and remote areas.
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