The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) has dismissed all requests for reconsideration of its decision to reject licence applications submitted by Starlink Internet Services Namibia (Pty) Ltd, reaffirming that the company remains non-compliant with Namibia’s telecommunications laws.
According to CRAN Chief Executive Officer Emilia Nghikembua, the regulator received 624 reconsideration requests from members of the public following its decision of 23 March 2026 to deny Starlink a telecommunications licence.
According to the regulator, 622 of the requests failed to meet the procedural and jurisdictional requirements necessary for a valid reconsideration process. Nghikembua said the submissions did not clearly identify the decision being challenged, provide specific grounds for reconsideration, or contain sufficient information to support a lawful reassessment.
“The Authority received 624 reconsideration requests from members of the public. Of these, 622 did not meet the procedural and jurisdictional requirements necessary to trigger a valid reconsideration process, as they failed to clearly identify the decision challenged, set out specific grounds, or provide sufficient information for lawful reassessment,” she said.
She further explained that the remaining two requests were evaluated on their merits but were also dismissed. CRAN found that they presented no new facts and failed to demonstrate any material error in the original decision.
Nghikembua reiterated that while Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite technologies can contribute to improved national connectivity, all operators must comply with Namibia’s legal and regulatory framework. She said Starlink’s application remained non-compliant with the ownership and control requirements contained in Section 46 of the Communications Act.
CRAN further clarified that any exemptions to these requirements fall under the authority of the Minister of Information and Communication Technology and cannot be granted through a reconsideration process.
“Starlink’s application remained non-compliant with the ownership and control requirements under Section 46 of the Communications Act, No. 8 of 2009. Exemptions under Section 46(2) fall within the competence of the Minister of Information and Communication Technology and are not matters that CRAN may determine through a reconsideration process,” she said.
The regulator also rejected a separate reconsideration application submitted by Starlink Internet Services Namibia (Pty) Ltd. It found that the application had been filed after the statutory deadline and that neither the Communications Act nor the applicable regulations provide for the condonation of late submissions.
In addition, Nghikembua said a public petition submitted on 17 June 2026 requesting a review of the decision could not be considered because it was lodged after the deadline for reconsideration applications, which expired on 23 April 2026.
