Dear CRAN Licensing Department,
On behalf of the Namibia Consumer Protection Group (NCPG), I hereby submit our comments regarding the licence application of Starlink, as invited by the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN).
Introduction
The Namibia Consumer Protection Group is committed to ensuring equitable access to essential services for all Namibians. Connectivity is no longer a luxury; it is a prerequisite for safety, education, and economic participation. Farmers and rural communities, in particular, face persistent challenges with unreliable or unaffordable internet services.
Context
Existing service providers have not adequately addressed the needs of rural consumers, leaving large parts of Namibia underserved. Farmers and agricultural organisations have expressed strong support for Starlink’s entry into the Namibian market, citing its potential to provide reliable connectivity where traditional infrastructure has failed.
Benefits of Starlink
We recognise the following consumer benefits:
• Rural Safety: Improved communication to address farm-related crime and enable digital surveillance systems.
• Modern Agriculture: Connectivity for precision farming technologies, automation, and access to online markets.
• Education and Services: Reliable internet for online education in remote areas and access to veterinary and advisory services.
• Consumer Choice: Starlink offers a direct response to years of unreliable or prohibitively expensive services from existing providers, thereby enhancing competition and consumer empowerment.
Ownership and Regulatory Considerations
While regulatory compliance is essential, ownership requirements must be balanced against the urgent need for rural connectivity. Namibia should consider alternative compliance mechanisms that ensure local participation without delaying service provision. These could include:
• Mandated investment in rural infrastructure and school connectivity.
• Partnerships with Namibian cooperatives, farmer unions, or community organisations.
• Transparent consumer protection frameworks to safeguard affordability and service quality.
Recommendations
We respectfully recommend that CRAN:
1. Grant Starlink a licence subject to clear consumer protection obligations, including affordability and transparency in pricing.
2. Prioritise rural coverage as a licensing condition, ensuring farmers and remote communities are the primary beneficiaries.
3. Encourage community participation in ownership or governance structures, without imposing barriers that delay service provision.
4. Safeguard consumer rights by requiring Starlink to comply with Namibian regulations on data protection, fair competition, and service reliability.
5. Monitor and evaluate impact through CRAN-led reporting mechanisms, ensuring measurable improvements in rural connectivity.
Conclusion
Connectivity is a fundamental consumer right. For Namibia’s farmers, it is a lifeline—supporting safety, modern agricultural practices, education, and access to markets. The Namibia Consumer Protection Group urges CRAN to approve Starlink’s licence application with conditions that protect consumers while enabling rapid deployment of services.
Respectfully submitted,
Milton Louw
Director
Namibia Consumer Protection Group
081 688 1368
