The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) has dismissed all requests for reconsideration relating to its 23 March 2026 decision to decline the licence applications submitted by Starlink Internet Services Namibia (Pty) Ltd.
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.
The two requests that met the jurisdictional threshold were fully assessed. CRAN found that they introduced no new facts and did not establish any material error in the original decision.
In a statement released to the media on 22 June 2026, CRAN therefore reaffirmed that its decision was properly grounded in the Communications Act and applicable regulatory criteria.
CRAN further noted that while Low Earth Orbit satellite technologies can support national connectivity objectives, all operators must comply with Namibia’s legal framework. Starlink’s application remained non-compliant with the ownership and control requirements under section 46 of the Communications Act, No. 8, 2009.
The Authority also clarified that 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.
In addition, Starlink Internet Services Namibia (Pty) Ltd submitted its own application for reconsideration in terms of section 31 of the Communications Act.
After considering the matter, the Authority resolved to dismiss the application on the basis that it was lodged outside the prescribed statutory period.
The Authority found that neither the Communications Act nor the applicable Regulations confers a power to condone the late filing of a reconsideration application and, accordingly, the application was not properly before the Authority for determination on its merits.
The Authority also received a signed petition from members of the public on 17 June 2026 requesting reconsideration of the Starlink decision.
However, the petition was submitted after the statutory deadline for reconsideration applications had expired on 23 April 2026. As the Communications Act and applicable Regulations do not empower the Authority to accept or condone late reconsideration requests, CRAN was unable to consider the petition.
Commenting on the outcome, Mrs. Emilia Nghikembua, CRAN’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “CRAN remains committed to fair, transparent and lawful regulation.
“Innovation and connectivity are important, but they must advance within the framework of the law. Regulatory certainty and compliance are essential to a secure and competitive communications sector.”
CRAN affirmed that the reconsideration of requests did not provide a sufficient legal or factual basis to change the original decision.
“The outcome underscores the Authority’s commitment to consistency, regulatory certainty and the rule of law in Namibia’s communications sector,” said Nghikembua.
In the photo: CRAN’s CEO Mrs Emilia Nghikembua on the right, and Starlink owner Mr Elon Musk on the left.
