Starlink fires back after Namibia rejects licence bid

Starlink has publicly responded to Namibia's rejection of its licence application, calling the regulator CRAN's characterisation of non-compliance 'misleading'. The company's main obstacle is Namibia's 51% local ownership requirement, for which no ministerial exemption was granted — the same issue blocking its entry into South Africa. Starlink claims 98.6% of public submissions during the consultation process supported its application and is urging Namibians to formally appeal the decision. The company also highlighted its regional impact, including connecting over 600 health facilities in Zambia and 300 schools in Mozambique, and addressed concerns about monopoly risks and sovereignty.