The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia (CRAN) has granted authorisation to Blue Telecommunications (Pty) Ltd, a subsidiary operating under Radio Electronic (Pty) Ltd’s license, to roll out Eutelsat OneWeb connectivity solutions nationwide. Operating from Low Earth Orbit, Eutelsat OneWeb’s satellite constellation provides high-speed, low-latency internet connectivity tailored for regions with inadequate or nonexistent ground-based network infrastructure. The service primarily serves sectors including enterprises, governmental institutions, maritime operations, aviation, and essential infrastructure providers.
Francois du Toit, Chief Executive Officer of Radio Electronic, said the approval marked a significant milestone for both the company and the country.
“This is a proud moment for Radio Electronic and for Namibia. Securing regulatory approval enables us to introduce Eutelsat OneWeb’s advanced LEO connectivity to the country for the first time,” du Toit said.
Du Toit stressed that LEO technology should be viewed as complementary rather than disruptive, stating it’s not a replacement for fibre, mobile or fixed wireless networks, but as an additional layer of infrastructure aimed at improving coverage, resilience and performance.
Laying the Groundwork for LEO Connectivity in Namibia
Namibia’s LEO connectivity landscape is at an early but consequential stage, shaped by a regulatory approval that reflects the strength of the country’s telecommunications framework. The authorisation granted to Radio Electronic positions it as Namibia’s first locally licensed provider of LEO satellite services, enabling advanced global satellite technologies to enter the market through a regulated, locally anchored operating model.
While the approval represents a historic milestone, full service activation remains subject to the completion of outstanding administrative steps, notably the formal issuance of the physical licence by CRAN, despite type approvals for the required hardware already being in place. Strategically, the rollout aligns closely with CRAN’s national objectives to deliver secure, reliable, and compliant connectivity solutions, particularly for enterprise, government, and other mission-critical users, reinforcing LEO satellite services as an increasingly integral component of Namibia’s digital infrastructure landscape.
Alongside this initial market entry, recent developments involving Starlink are further defining Namibia’s LEO connectivity environment, with the company entering a public consultation phase as part of its regulatory engagement process. During the consultation, Starlink received public support for its proposed operations in the country, reflecting interest in expanded satellite-based connectivity and broader awareness of LEO services among local stakeholders.
