Key insights
- Namibia rejected Starlink's application for a telecom license, citing regulatory concerns. While this is a setback for Starlink's expansion in Africa, the direct impact on US equity markets is limited. The regulator may reconsider the decision within 90 days. The event highlights regulatory hurdles faced by Starlink in certain markets.
WINDHOEK, March 23 (Reuters) - Namibia has turned down applications from Elon Musk’s satellite internet provider Starlink for a telecommunications service licence and access to radio spectrum, a notice in the Southern African country’s government gazette showed. * The notice dated March 23 did not say why Starlink’sapplications were declined. * The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia couldreconsider the decisions "on its own motion or on a petitionfiled by an aggrieved party" within 90 days, the notice added. * A spokesperson for the regulator said a statement would beissued later. * SpaceX, parent company of Starlink, did not immediatelyrespond to a request for comment. * Starlink operates in several African countries but hasfaced regulatory challenges in others and resistance from statetelecoms monopolies. * In November 2024, the Namibian regulator hit Starlink witha cease-and-desist order, saying it had been operating in thecountry without a licence. * It also warned consumers against purchasing Starlinkequipment and said it had confiscated illegal terminals fromconsumers. SpaceX did not respond to a request for comment atthe time.