Staff Writer
The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) has received 624 applications for reconsideration following its decision on the licence application submitted by Starlink Internet Services Namibia (Pty) Ltd.
In a statement issued yesterday, CRAN said members of the public and interested stakeholders had exercised their right to request a reconsideration of the decision within the period prescribed by law.
The regulator clarified that none of the reconsideration applications were submitted by Starlink itself.
Instead, all 624 applications were lodged by members of the public and other stakeholders who were aggrieved by the decision.
CRAN said the reconsideration requests follow its media release of 24 March 2026, in which affected parties were informed of the opportunity to challenge the decision through the formal reconsideration process.
According to the authority, all applications received will be processed in accordance with the provisions of the Communications Act (No. 8 of 2009) and relevant regulatory procedures.
CRAN executive for communication and consumer relations, Mufaro Nesongano, said the authority recognises the increased public interest surrounding the matter and will ensure that all applications are handled through established legal and regulatory channels.
The regulator said it will provide further updates once the reconsideration process has been completed.
The development highlights continued public interest in Starlink’s efforts to secure the necessary licences to operate in Namibia, with the outcome of the reconsideration process expected to determine the next steps in the matter.
When its application was rejected, Starlink said CRAN’s decision was based on a misunderstanding of its operations and compliance.
CRAN had cited failure to meet ownership and regulatory requirements in its decision.
Starlink said it has, over the past three years, committed to setting up a local entity, meeting national security requirements and paying taxes and fees in line with its operations in 164 markets.
Starlink added that the main issue is Namibia’s local ownership rule, which requires at least 51% local shareholding.
At the time, Starlink said it could not meet this requirement due to global shareholding restrictions.
The company operates in several African countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, Mozambique, Zambia, Ghana and Botswana.
