Access to affordable, reliable internet is not a luxury, it is a necessity for education, business, innovation, and national development.

Yet in Namibia, many citizens and businesses continue to face high data costs, limited service options, inconsistent quality, and little to no connectivity in rural areas.

The current structure of the internet service market has resulted in limited competition, which negatively impacts pricing, service delivery, and innovation.

The recent rejection of the Starlink Namibia license has raised significant public concern, where many Namibians see satellite internet as a potential solution to bridge the digital divide, particularly in underserved and remote communities.

We, the undersigned, respectfully call on the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia to act in the best interests of all Namibians by addressing the following:

• High internet costs compared to global and regional standards
• Limited competition among major service providers
• Poor or inconsistent service quality in many areas
• Lack of viable connectivity options in rural and remote regions
• Barriers to entry for new technologies and service providers

We respectfully request that CRAN:

1. Provide transparency regarding the decision not to approve Starlink’s licensing
2. Reconsider the licensing of Starlink to improve national connectivity
3. Promote fair competition within the internet service provider market
4. Implement policies that encourage innovation and reduce costs for consumers
5. Prioritize connectivity solutions for rural and underserved communities

Improved internet access will enable better education through e-learning opportunities, support small businesses and entrepreneurs, drive economic growth and innovation, improve access to government and digital services and ensure equal opportunities for all Namibians, regardless of location.

Namibia cannot afford to fall behind in the digital age. We urge CRAN to take decisive action to ensure that all citizens have access to affordable, high-quality internet.

We call on policymakers to put the needs of the people first and enable a more competitive, inclusive, and future-ready digital landscape.