Windhoek: The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) has dismissed all requests for reconsideration of its March 2026 decision to reject license applications submitted by Starlink Internet Services Namibia (Pty) Ltd, citing procedural shortcomings and the absence of new legal or factual grounds.
According to Namibia Press Agency, CRAN Chief Executive Officer, Emilia Nghikembua, stated in a media release that the Authority received 624 requests for reconsideration from members of the public following its decision on 23 March 2026. Of these, 622 failed to meet the legal requirements necessary to trigger a valid reconsideration process, as they did not provide the information required by law for the Authority to lawfully revisit its decision.
The remaining two requests, which met the jurisdictional threshold, were fully assessed. However, CRAN found that they introduced no new facts and identified no material error in the original decision. Nghikembua pointed out that Starlink's application failed to satisfy three key criteria: ownership and control requirements under Section 46 of the Communications Act, 2009 (Act No. 8 of 2009); compliance history; and considerations relating to national security and public safety.
Nghikembua explained that CRAN could not waive legislative requirements, as doing so would undermine regulatory certainty and create an uneven playing field for operators in Namibia's communications sector. Starlink Internet Services Namibia (Pty) Ltd also submitted its own application for reconsideration on 08 June 2026. CRAN dismissed the application on the grounds that it had been lodged outside the prescribed 30-day statutory period, which expired on 22 April 2026.
The Authority found that neither the Communications Act nor the applicable regulations empowered it to condone late filing. A public petition containing more than 5,000 signatures, received on 17 June 2026, was similarly set aside as it was submitted after the statutory deadline.
Nghikembua emphasized that the outcome should not be interpreted as opposition to innovation or improved connectivity. "CRAN remains committed to fostering innovation, encouraging investment, and supporting the expansion of communications services across Namibia," she said. She added that aggrieved parties may invoke Section 32 of the Communications Act by lodging an application for review with the High Court.