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Monday, 8 June 2026
Namibia’s news, on the hour · Est. 2026
Monday, 8 June 2026
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Namibian press · Organization

Starlink

Also known as: Starlink Internet Services · Starlink Internet Services Namibia (Pty) Limited

Starlink — satellite internet provider whose Namibian operating licence application was rejected in April 2026 due to foreign ownership and compliance failures.

2025-05-162026-06-08
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What’s been said

Key points drawn from coverage. Tap a point to see the original sentence.

  1. April 2026

  2. The Namibian

    Starlink was subject to failed attempt to bring to Namibia

    Source

    “The hosts briefly mention Elon Musk and the failed attempt to bring Starlink to Namibia, before abruptly pivoting to dating in Namibia.”

    Early days for ‘The Black and Yellow Podcast’
  3. March 2026

  4. The Namibian

    Starlink says it will pursue an appeal following the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia's rejection

    Source

    “Satellite internet services provider Starlink says it will pursue an appeal following the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia's rejection of its application to operate in Namibia.”

    Starlink to appeal Namibia’s licence rejection

  5. The Namibian

    Starlink claims its application was declined despite 98.6% of Namibian respondents supporting its entry

    Source

    “Starlink claims its application was declined despite 98.6% of Namibian respondents in a public consultation supporting its entry to the market.”

    Starlink to appeal Namibia’s licence rejection

  6. Informanté

    Starlink was rejected due to 100% foreign ownership model posing national security risk

    Source

    “The investment deal, which had been poised to close Namibia's rural digital gap via the use of satellites, was, however, turned down due to a 100% foreign ownership model, which the government opined posed a national security risk.”

    Namibian laws subject to all, Ngurare says in rejection of Starlink

  7. The Namibian

    Starlink had its Namibian licence application rejected due to non-compliance with 51% local ownership requirements

    Source

    “Prime minister Elijah Ngurare has defended the rejection of satellite internet service provider Starlink's Namibian licence application, insisting that foreign investors must comply with the country's 51% local ownership requirements.”

    Namibia stands firm on Starlink rejection

  8. New Era

    Starlink failed to meet the 51% local ownership statutory requirement

    Source

    “Theofelus, who was joined by Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) board chairperson Tulimevava Kaunapawa Mufeti at yesterday's press conference, said the biggest stumbling block in Starlink's application was the lack of a 51% local ownership, which is a statutory requirement.”

    Starlink rejection: Legal, national security grounds  …no special treatment, says minister

  9. New Era

    Starlink was found to have contravened local laws by offering telecommunications services without a licence

    Source

    “Theofelus also shared that the Elon Musk-owned Starlink company was found to have contravened local laws by offering telecommunications services without a licence.”

    Starlink rejection: Legal, national security grounds  …no special treatment, says minister

  10. The Namibian

    Starlink was rejected by the government for not meeting key legal and regulatory requirements

    Source

    “The government says the satellite internet provider does not meet key legal and regulatory requirements.”

    Local internet providers unreliable – lawyer Amoomo after Starlink rejection

  11. Informanté

    Starlink is wholly foreign-owned and did not meet the legal requirement for at least 51% Namibian ownership

    Source

    “The Authority added that Starlink is wholly foreign-owned and did not meet the legal requirement for at least 51% Namibian ownership, nor did it obtain an exemption.”

    Starlink bid to operate in Namibia declined

  12. Informanté

    Starlink is accused of operating in Namibia without a valid licence and failing to respond to regulatory summons

    Source

    “The regulator also cited Starlink's prior contravention of the Communications Act, accusing the company of operating in Namibia without a valid licence and failing to respond to regulatory summons, which raised doubts about its willingness to comply with local regulations.”

    Starlink bid to operate in Namibia declined
Business

Telecom Namibia summoned over nationwide broadband outages

The News

Telecom Namibia has been summoned by the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia following repeated nationwide broadband disruptions affecting businesses, institutions and households. The company attributed the outages to infrastructure-related problems and system faults, and said it will provide a full briefing on technical causes and measures to restore stability.

Why it matters

Telecom Namibia's recurring broadband outages demand regulatory response affecting business and daily operations.

26 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Tuesday 26 May

  1. Telecom Namibia summoned over nationwide broadband outages

    Telecom Namibia has been summoned by the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia following repeated nationwide broadband disruptions affecting businesses, institutions and households. The company attributed the outages to infrastructure-related problems and system faults, and said it will provide a full briefing on technical causes and measures to restore stability.

    26 May 2026 · Windhoek Observer →

Wednesday 22 April

  1. New podcast from Reggie and Frozen needs stronger direction

    A review of the first episode of 'The Black and Yellow Podcast', a new show on One Africa Television hosted by Namibian duo Reggie and Frozen with guest Michael Amushelelo, finds the conversation lacking structure and insight, circling predictably around dating and materialism rather than exploring deeper territory, though technical improvements and clearer direction could strengthen future episodes.

    22 April 2026 · The Namibian →

Saturday 28 March

  1. Local telecom firms must improve service after Starlink rejection

    The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia rejected Starlink's application citing ownership, security, and sovereignty concerns. The editorial argues that local telecommunications companies must now deliver better connectivity and affordability, noting that Namibia ranks 143rd globally in internet speed and only 15% of households have fixed internet access.

    28 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Friday 27 March

  1. Starlink to appeal Namibia's telecommunications licence rejection

    Starlink says it will appeal the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia's rejection of its application to operate in the country, citing the authority's decision as "disappointing". The regulator declined the application because Starlink failed to meet local ownership requirements, which mandate that telecommunications providers be at least 51% locally owned, along with other regulatory and legal compliance issues.

    27 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 26 March

  1. Namibia rejects Starlink deal over foreign ownership rules

    Prime Minister Dr. Elijah Ngurare has defended Namibia's rejection of Elon Musk's Starlink proposal, saying Namibian laws must apply equally to all foreign investors regardless of geopolitical ties. The government turned down the 100% foreign-owned venture due to national security concerns, insisting that any company providing services in Namibia must allow local ownership and benefit to Namibians.

    26 March 2026 · Informanté →

  2. Cran rejects Starlink licence application citing ownership and compliance failures

    The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia rejected Starlink's application for an operating licence after the company failed three of six required criteria, including local ownership requirements (51% local stake), regulatory compliance, and legal standards. Cran found that Starlink is entirely foreign-owned, had previously operated without a valid licence, and ignored compliance concerns raised by the authority.

    26 March 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. Namibia maintains Starlink rejection over local ownership rules

    Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare defended Namibia's rejection of Starlink's licence application, saying the country will not waive its 51% local ownership requirement for any investor. Opposition leader McHenry Venaani criticised the decision as irrational, arguing Starlink could have improved internet connectivity for rural schools.

    26 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 25 March

  1. Starlink rejected over ownership rules, national security concerns

    Namibia's Information and Communication Technology Minister Emma Theofelus said the rejection of Starlink's application to provide satellite internet services was lawful and based on regulatory requirements, including the mandatory 51% local ownership rule and national security concerns. The minister noted that Starlink's proposed 100% foreign ownership model raised material regulatory considerations regarding jurisdiction and government oversight, and that the company had also operated unlawfully without a licence.

    25 March 2026 · New Era →

  2. Lawyer criticizes local providers after Starlink rejected

    Lawyer Kadhila Amoomo has criticized local internet service providers as "unreliable monopolies" following the government's rejection this week of Starlink's application to operate in Namibia, citing the company's failure to meet legal and regulatory requirements. Amoomo argued that Namibians are "stuck" with expensive and unreliable services from Telecom and MTC, while the regulatory authority Cran has warned the public against purchasing or subscribing to Starlink services as they are illegal under Namibian law.

    25 March 2026 · The Namibian →

  3. CRAN rejects Starlink bid to operate in Namibia

    The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia has declined Starlink's application for telecommunications and spectrum licences, citing non-compliance with ownership rules (requiring 51% Namibian ownership), national security concerns, and prior breaches of the Communications Act. CRAN said Starlink met only three of six required criteria, and the company may request reconsideration within 30 days.

    25 March 2026 · Informanté →

  4. Cran declines Starlink licence application in Namibia

    The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (Cran) has rejected Starlink's applications for both a class comprehensive telecommunications service licence and a Spectrum licence for satellite internet services. The decision was published in the Government Gazette, with the authority citing that Starlink has 0% Namibian citizen ownership, and aggrieved parties may petition for reconsideration within 90 days.

    25 March 2026 · The Namibian →

  5. Namibia rejects Starlink licence bid citing ownership and security rules

    The government rejected Starlink's application to operate in Namibia, with the Communications Regulatory Authority noting the company failed to meet the 51% local ownership requirement and raised concerns over national security and data sovereignty. Though acknowledging Starlink's potential to improve connectivity in remote areas, authorities said compliance with Namibian law remains non-negotiable.

    25 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 12 March

  1. Young Iranians cope with ongoing war, internet blackout

    As the US and Israel continue attacking Iran since 28 February, young Iranians in Tehran are sheltering at home, adjusting sleep schedules around bombings, and some fleeing to safer regions ahead of Nowruz. With government-imposed internet outages, residents are using Starlink devices at high cost and legal risk to maintain contact with loved ones, though connectivity remains severely limited.

    12 March 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 21 January

  1. Echo Namibia receives regulatory approval for satellite internet

    Echo Namibia has received full approval from the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia to provide internet services using OneWeb's low earth orbit satellite technology. The service will offer download speeds up to 100Mb and upload speeds up to 20Mb, with data packages ranging from 250Gb to 2,000Gb.

    21 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Tuesday 13 January

  1. Security forces kill hundreds in Iran anti-government protests

    Eyewitnesses in Iran describe security forces and paramilitary units opening fire with live ammunition on unarmed protesters, with credible accounts suggesting dozens to hundreds killed across multiple cities. Iran has cut internet access and barred international media from reporting freely, making independent verification difficult, though human rights groups estimate at least 648 deaths including minors.

    13 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Thursday 8 January

  1. Thirteen economic priorities for Namibia's investment competitiveness

    An analysis identifies 13 issues that could shape Namibia's investment future in 2026, including rebuilding investor confidence, streamlining regulations, reforming tax enforcement, modernizing business registration, and improving trade and digital infrastructure. The piece argues that Namibia must convert its natural resources and political stability into measurable economic performance and offer a clearer reason for foreign investors to choose it over regional competitors.

    8 January 2026 · The Namibian →

Wednesday 7 January

  1. CRAN expects Starlink licensing decision by end of March

    The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia expects to announce its decision on Starlink's application to operate in Namibia by the end of Q1 2026. The main issue holding up the application is Namibia's legal requirement that telecommunications licensees have 51% domestic ownership, which Starlink is seeking an exemption from, though public submissions on the application have been largely supportive (1,164 in favour versus 16 opposed).

    7 January 2026 · New Era →

Tuesday 6 January

  1. Amnesty: Uganda security forces repress opposition ahead of elections

    Amnesty International reported that Ugandan security forces have used torture and arbitrary arrests to intimidate opposition supporters ahead of 15 January elections, with documented cases of beating, pepper-spraying, and tasering; President Yoweri Museveni seeks to extend his 40-year rule amid fears the government may shut down the internet during voting.

    6 January 2026 · New Era →

Starlink — Namibian press coverage · Namibia Minute