JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – Namibia’s Communications Regulatory Authority said on Thursday it had issued a cease-and-desist order to Elon Musk’s internet provider Starlink for operating in the country without a license.
Starlink, the satellite unit of SpaceX, operates in several African countries but faces regulatory challenges in others and resistance from government telecom monopolies.
Starlink submitted an application for a mobile license to operate in Namibia, however the regulator did not grant the license as the application is under review.
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“After investigation, CRAN has revealed that Starlink is operating a network within Namibia without the required telecommunications license,” CRAN said in a statement.
“On 26 November 2024, the Executive issued Starlink a cease-and-desist order, ordering the company to cease all operations in Namibia immediately.”
SpaceX did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The official also warned the public not to buy Starlink terminal equipment or subscribe to its services, as such things are illegal in Namibia.
Its investigators have already seized illegal sales sites from customers and opened criminal charges with the Namibian police in the matter, it added.
Earlier this year, Cameroon ordered the confiscation of Starlink equipment from the stations as it was unlicensed.
(Reporting by Nqobile Dludla; Editing by Rod Nickel)