Namibian govt orders Starlink to stop operations

The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) has issued a cease-and-desist order to Elon Musk’s satellite internet provider Starlink for operating in the country without a license.

CRAN announced this in a statement on Thursday, November 28, 2024.

Starlink, the satellite unit of SpaceX, operates in several African countries but has faced regulatory challenges in others and resistance from state telecom monopolies.

The company has submitted an application for a telecommunications service license in Namibia, however, the regulator has not issued the license as the application is under review.

CRAN noted: “Following an investigation, CRAN has established that Starlink is operating a network within Namibia without the required telecommunications license.

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“On 26 November 2024, the Authority issued a cease-and-desist order to Starlink, instructing the company to immediately cease all operations in Namibia.”

SpaceX did not immediately respond to a request from Reuters for comment.

The regulator also advised the public not to purchase the telecommunications company’s terminal equipment or subscribe to its services, as such activities are illegal in Namibia.

Its investigators have already confiscated illegal terminals from consumers and have opened criminal cases with the Namibian Police in this regard, it added.

Earlier this year, Cameroon ordered the seizure of Starlink equipment at ports as it was not licensed.

The Star