Starlink Satellite Internet Service Prohibited From Operating In Namibia

JAKARTA Namibia, a state in South Africa, announced that it had issued an order that could stop Starlink operations. This rule was issued on November 26.

In fact, this ban was issued for quite a clear reason. The Namibia Communications Regulatory Authority confirmed that SpaceX's satellite internet service, Elon Musk's company, is banned because Starlink does not yet have an official license.

"On November 26, 2024, the Authority issued an order to terminate and terminate Starlink, instructing the company to immediately stop all operations in Namibia," the agency said, citing Reuters.

Before the restrictions on this operation were issued, SpaceX had submitted a request for a telecommunications service license in the country. However, the regulator has not been able to issue a license because the application is still in the review stage.

It's not explained how long this review will take, but SpaceX seems impatient to wait. This is evident from the large number of Starlinks operating, including being traded, in the country.

"After the investigation, CRAN (Nambia Communication Regulation Authority) has determined that Starlink operates a network in Namibia without a required telecommunications license," the agency said.

In addition to banning its operations, regulators remind all Namibians not to buy Starlink terminal equipment or even subscribe to services from the communication satellite. The public is asked to wait until the license is available.

For those who buy or sell Starlink terminals, this action can be brought to justice. Investigators have linked a number of illegal terminals they found and the case has been handled by the Namibia Police as a criminal case.