CONNECTIVITY

Namibia is latest African country to clash with Elon Musk’s Starlink

By our African Marketing Confederation News Team | 2024

Starlink, which provides high-speed broadband internet in remote and rural locations, must cease operations until it has required permission.

Starlink, the satellite-based internet provider owner by Elon Musk, has run into problems with regulators in yet another African country – this time Namibia.

A Starlink mission. Photo: SpaceX

Authorities in Namibia say Starlink does not have the required telecommunications licence and must cease operations until one is granted. The Communications Regulatory Authority has also warned consumers not to purchase Starlink equipment or subscribe to its services. 

 

Starlink provides high-speed, low-latency broadband internet in remote and rural locations across the globe. Its service enables video calls, online gaming, streaming, and other high data-rate activities that historically have not been possible with satellite internet. 

 

Starlink application is still under review 

 

According to reports by local media and international news agencies, Starlink has applied for a telecommunications service license in Namibia, but the application is still under review. 

 

Starlink has previously clashed with regulators in various African countries – among them South Africa and Cameroon – for lack of relevant licences. In some instances, there has also been pushback from state telecom monopolies, as well as from private service providers seeking to protect their significant investments in mobile infrastructure. 

 

While Starlink’s stated aim is to delivery high-quality internet to rural areas, where such services are typically lacking, many urban African consumers have also been taking up the service due to lack of suitable capacity in cities. 

 

Reports WeeTracker, a Pan-African, research and media company: “From bustling metropolises like Nairobi and Lagos to Harare and Lusaka, city dwellers have driven Starlink’s surge in demand. This rush has even forced the company to halt new sign-ups in major urban areas, despite having reserved ‘significant capacity outside of city centres’, according to owner Elon Musk’s own statement on X, in which he added that Starlink is working to increase internet capacity in dense urban areas in Africa as fast as possible.”

View all articles »
author avatar
Rozanne
See Full Bio

PUBLICATIONS

Strategic Marketing for Africa Magazine

CONTACT INFORMATION

info@africanmarketingconfederation.org

0
    0
    Your Cart
    Your cart is emptyReturn to Shop
    Continue Shopping

    Dr Kin Kariisa

    Group CEO - Next Media

    Dr. Kin Kariisa is an extraordinary force at the helm of Next Media Services, a conglomerate encompassing NBS TV, Nile Post, Sanyuka TV, Next Radio, Salam TV, Next Communication, Next Productions, and an array of other influential enterprises. His dynamic role as Chief Executive Officer exemplifies his unwavering commitment to shaping media, business, and community landscapes.
    With an esteemed academic journey, Dr. Kariisa’s accolades include an Honorary PhD in exemplary community service from the United Graduate College inTexas, an MBA from United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Huazong University in China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University.
    Dr. Kariisa pursued PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. As a dynamic educator, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at both Makerere University and Radboud University.

    Dr Kin did his PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radbond University in Nigmegen, Netherlands. He previously served as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and Radbond University in Netherlands.

    Dr Kin did his postgraduate courses in Strategic Business Management, Strategic Leadership Communication and Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives at Harvard University, Boston USA.

    • Other current and previous roles played by Dr Kin Kariisa:
    • Lecturer of e-Government and Information Security to graduate students at Makerere University, Kampala and Radbond University in the Netherlands
    • Director of Eco Bank Uganda Limited, one of the largest banks in Africa
    • Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, an umbrella industry association for all Television, Radio and online broadcasters in Uganda.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Nile Hotel International, that owns the leading hotel in Uganda, Kampala Serena Hotel.
    • Chairman of Board of Directors of Soliton Telmec Uganda, the leading telecom company in Optic fibre business managing over 80% of optic fibre in Uganda.