The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) has received 624 applications from members of the public and interested stakeholders seeking reconsideration of its decision on a licence application by Starlink Internet Services Namibia (Pty) Ltd.
In a statement issued on Monday, Cran said the applications were submitted within the period set out in the Communications Act after the regulator announced its decision on Starlink’s licence application in March this year.
The regulator clarified that Starlink itself has not filed an application for reconsideration.
“Cran can confirm that 624 reconsideration applications were received from members of the public and interested stakeholders. We also clarify that no application for reconsideration has been received from Starlink Internet Services Namibia (Pty) Ltd itself, only from members of the public aggrieved by the decision,” Cran said.
Cran said all applications would be processed in line with the Communications Act and established regulatory procedures.
Executive for Communication and Consumer Relations, Mufaro Nesongano, said the authority recognises the strong public interest in the matter.
“Cran acknowledges the public interest in this matter and wishes to assure all stakeholders that the reconsideration applications received will be handled through the established legal and regulatory processes,” he said.
The authority said it will provide further information once the reconsideration process is complete.
The high volume of applications underscores the strong public interest in Starlink’s proposed entry into the Namibian market.
Starlink, a satellite internet service operated by the American technology company SpaceX, provides connectivity via thousands of low-Earth orbit satellites. The service is already operational in several African countries and has attracted interest in Namibia, particularly in rural and underserved areas where internet access remains limited.
In March, Cran announced that it had declined Starlink’s application for telecommunications licences. The regulator said the application did not comply with Namibia’s laws governing ownership in the telecommunications sector.
Under the Communications Act and Namibia’s empowerment requirements, telecommunications licences must have at least 51% Namibian ownership. Cran found that Starlink Internet Services Namibia (Pty) Ltd did not meet this requirement at the time of the application.
The decision sparked widespread public debate, with many Namibians arguing that Starlink could improve internet access, reduce costs and increase competition in the country’s telecommunications industry. Others backed the regulator’s position, saying all investors must comply with Namibia’s laws and ownership requirements.
The reconsideration applications will now be reviewed under the legal processes set out in the Communications Act before Cran reaches a decision.
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