Namibia Denies Starlink License Due to Ownership and Security Issues

• •Namibia rejected Starlink's license application due to foreign ownership issues.
• •The application failed to meet three out of six statutory criteria required for approval.
• •Concerns were raised regarding national security and regulatory compliance.

Namibia has rejected Starlink's application for a telecommunications service license and radio spectrum access due to failure to meet legal requirements. The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) cited non-compliance with ownership laws, stating that the applicant is wholly foreign-owned and did not secure the necessary exemption for at least 51% Namibian ownership. The application was assessed against six statutory criteria, of which only three were satisfied. Concerns regarding national security and regulatory oversight were also raised, as the proposed satellite model could hinder domestic jurisdiction. Starlink had previously been operating in Namibia without a valid license since November 2024. The CRAN emphasized its commitment to innovation while ensuring compliance with national regulations. Despite the rejection, the government remains open to future applications that address these regulatory gaps.