The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) has issued a cease-and-desist order to Elon Musk’s satellite internet provider, Starlink, for operating without the required license, the regulator announced on Thursday.
Starlink, a division of SpaceX, operates in several African countries but has encountered regulatory hurdles in some regions, including Namibia, where state-owned telecom operators dominate the market.
According to CRAN, Starlink is currently under investigation for operating its network within Namibia without the necessary telecommunications license. While Starlink has submitted an application for the license, it has not yet been approved.
“On November 26, 2024, CRAN issued a cease-and-desist order to Starlink, instructing the company to immediately cease all operations in Namibia,” the regulatory body said in a statement.
CRAN has also warned the public against purchasing Starlink terminal equipment or subscribing to its services, stating that such activities are illegal in the country. Investigators have already confiscated unauthorized terminals from consumers and filed criminal cases with the Namibian police.
SpaceX has not yet responded to requests for comment.
Earlier this year, similar regulatory issues arose in Cameroon, where authorities seized Starlink equipment at ports due to the company’s lack of a local license.
