Namibia has ordered SpaceX to cease Starlink operations in the country, alleging the satellite internet company has been operating with the appropriate telecom license.
Starlink’s global expansion has suffered a setback as Namibia orders SpaceX’s Starlink Inc. to cease all operations within its territory. The southwest African country alleged that the satellite internet company operated without a license.
Starlink has commenced the process of acquiring a license. However, the authorities insist the company cannot operate while its application is under review by the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia.
The agency has warned the public to desist from using the internet service at the risk of criminal prosecution. In a statement, it said, “The public is hereby advised not to purchase Starlink terminal equipment or subscribe to its services, as such activities are illegal. Investigators have already confiscated illegal terminals from consumers and have opened criminal cases with the Namibian police in this regard.”
Namibia is one of the countries with massive potential for SpaceX’s Starlink. The nation is sparsely populated, making it challenging to provide traditional internet infrastructure.
Starlink, however, remains popular in other parts of the world. SpaceX has partnered with ScotRail to offer high-speed internet on the UK’s trains. Canada’s Ontario province has also signed a CAD100 million deal to provide 15,000 homes and businesses with fast internet using Starlink.
