As the deadline approaches for Namibians to submit comments on the potential licensing of Starlink, opinions remain sharply split over the satellite internet provider’s suitability for the local market. Critics warn that its entry could undermine home-grown telecommunications companies and weaken local empowerment, while supporters argue that Starlink could help close Namibia’s digital connectivity gap.


The Communication Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) earlier this month invited public submissions following Starlink’s application to offer fast, low-latency satellite internet services in Namibia.


Concerns over local ownership and affordability


Fin-tech strategist Melvin Angula voiced strong objections, citing concerns related to empowermen t, affordability and regulatory alignment. Under existing rules, companies in the sector are required to cede 51% ownership to Namibian entities. Although Starlink has registered a Namibian-domiciled company, its ownership structure has not been publicly disclosed.


“The 0% local ownership structure required a ministerial exemption under Section 46 of the Communications Act. While the exemption has reportedly been granted, enabling CRAN to consider the application, this structure weakens accountability for universal service obligations and contravenes Namibia’s broader local content and empowerment direction,” Angula said.


Angula also highlighted affordability risks, noting that the United Nations Broadband Commission recommends that entry-level broadband should cost below 2% of monthly gross national income (GNI) per capita in low- and middle-income countries.


“Starlink’s estimated monthly cost is 6.8 times the UN affordability threshold. For rural Namibians—who constitute 50.5% of the population—Starlink would consume more than 30% of household income, far beyond any reasonable affordability standard,” he said.


Starlink’s official website lists its residential packages at US$30 (N$510) per month for its Lite service and US$50 (N$850) per month for its Standard service. Business packages start at US$71 (N$1,207) per month, with hardware priced at US$389 (N$6,613).


Former Popular Democratic Movement lawmaker Maximalliant Katjimune also strongly opposed the application, accusing Starlink founder Elon Musk of holding extremist views and questioning whether Namibia should entrust its personal data to his company.


Calls for balance


Technology commentator Nrupesh Soni presented a more balanced view, emphasising that while Starlink could improve rural connectivity, it introduces concerns over data sovereignty—where data is governed by the laws of the country in which it is stored.


“The data goes straight to their servers, not Namibian servers, so the government will not be able to use it unless it remains in Namibia,” Soni said during an interview on Desert FM recently.


He noted that other countries, such as India, had negotiated stronger control mechanisms—including the ability to disable the service when necessary—while Namibia lacks similar leverage given its smaller market.


Soni added that local operators were unlikely to be significantly affected, as Starlink operates in a different segment of the market. However, he argued that government regulations would need to be updated to ensure equal treatment for competitors such as OneWeb and Amazon’s Project Kuiper.


Support for Starlink entry


Not all feedback has been negative. Independent Patriots for Change lawmaker and shadow trade minister Rodney Cloete expressed his support, citing Namibia’s low fixed-internet penetration—below 5%—and its ranking of 149th out of 156 countries globally in median download speeds.


Media executive Gary Stroebel echoed the need for nuance, saying that the key question is whether Starlink intends to partner with local operators or resellers. He questioned whether local companies would even be able to raise the capital needed to acquire equity stakes under Namibia’s 51% local ownership requirement.


“The reality is that zero local company would be able to raise the capital to purchase a stake in Starlink’s infrastructure network, especially from domestic sources,” he said.


Starlink’s Position


Starlink vice-president for business operations Lauren Dreyer recently urged Namibians, via social media platform X, to participate in the public consultation. She stated that Starlink had already established a Namibian company and was in discussions with potential local retailers and resellers.


Dreyer noted that several African countries, including Zimbabwe, Kenya, Botswana and the Democratic Republic of Congo, had recently eased regulatory barriers to enable Starlink’s entry.


“Fortunately, Namibian law already gives the power to grant similar ownership flexibility, so a similar future is possible for Namibia,” she said.


Starlink Internet Services Namibia submitted its applications for a Class Comprehensive Telecommunications Service Licence and a spectrum licence in June 2024. The applications were published in the Government Gazette on 28 November 2025, triggering a 14-day public consultation period ending tomorrow, 12 December.