The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) has emphasised the need for satellite technology in Namibia due to its wide coverage. 

Currently, most of Namibia's services are running on terrestrial networks with a limited reach.

CRAN says several companies in the country are already exploring satellite technology.

Responding to some questions on Starlink, the Chief Executive Officer highlighted that three low-Earth orbit satellite providers utilising the same technology have been licensed.

Therefore, what they are guarding against as regulators is that the conversation around bridging the digital connectivity gap must be technology and licensing neutral. 

Emilia Nghikembua says the country must not operate under the premise that it is only one particular operator that can bridge the gap.

"You would find that there is agricultural land, there is tourism, and there are many other spaces that cannot be effectively covered through terrestrial networks. And this is why satellite technology becomes an alternative to complement those connectivity efforts that we are currently putting out."

Nghikembua also highlighted the government's efforts through the Universal Service Fund to expedite the efforts to bridge the connectivity gap as contained in NDP6. 

"And the government, through the Universal Service Fund that is housed at CRAN, will then continue to implement that to ensure that Namibia becomes digitally connected. Then I also want to just remind the public that any person that is really aggrieved by the decision that we have taken in respect of Starlink, by law, the door is not yet shut because you do have 90 days from the 23rd of March to apply for reconsideration. And the reconsideration."