Ein Offener Brief an die Kommunikationsbehörde von Namibia (CRAN)

Peet van Staden, IoT (Internet of Things) Specialist writes:

Dear CRAN, I’m writing this letter both as a concerned citizen and a struggling rural farmer, sharing my experience and frustrations with Namibia's current internet situation. This holiday, I managed the family farm in the Karas mountains, a place with harsh conditions, extreme heat, and limited resources. Every day was a struggle, from driving hours across tough terrain to monitor water systems, to dealing with unreliable communication. Modernizing our farm with technology is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. Reliable internet could allow us to implement tools like remote water monitoring, saving time, diesel, and wear and tear on our vehicles. It could also mean spending less on outdated methods and more on essentials like food for our animals. Yet, the current satellite internet options provided by local ISPs fall drastically short of meeting these needs. Recently, our satellite internet service had to redirect our dish to a satellite primarily serving Mauritius because their usual satellite "burned out." Despite this adjustment, the service quality remains poor, and the cost exorbitant compared to what is available in Windhoek.

We’re paying a premium for just 25GB per month. While there are options for 100GB, the pricing is completely unreasonable for the average Namibian. Is this level of service and cost even regulated? This brings me to Starlink. Why is it still not approved in Namibia? If the dish itself is what requires approval, shouldn’t this process be straightforward? If there’s more to it, then why does it seem like the rules are being inconsistently applied? For instance, if Starlink is being provided through Paratus, why isn’t it being treated like any other ISP? Many countries have already approved Starlink, and their rural communities are benefiting immensely from fast, affordable internet. It’s worth noting that Starlink differs fundamentally from traditional ISPs relying on Namibia’s connection to the global fiber network through deep-sea cables offshore. Starlink uses satellite technology to create a low-latency, high-speed connection directly from user terminals to a network of satellites in orbit. This eliminates reliance on a single physical gateway or fiber-optic connection at our shores.

Is this difference — Starlink being a frequency-based ISP and bypassing terrestrial infrastructure — why it seems to face additional regulatory hurdles? That said, I acknowledge that I may not have the full picture of the regulatory complexities or technical challenges involved. These are my personal views based on my understanding of the issue and the experiences I’ve had. The delays in approving Starlink feel like a missed opportunity for progress. Namibia’s rural communities need better options to improve education, modernize farming, enhance security, and reduce the pressures of outdated systems. CRAN, it’s time to prioritize solutions that work for the people, especially those in remote areas. I urge you to provide clarity on the regulatory barriers holding back Starlink and ensure fair, consistent treatment of all ISPs. Please don’t let bureaucratic hurdles prevent us from accessing the tools we need to build a better future. I look forward to your response and hope to see action on this matter soon.

By Peet van Staden