GHANA has joined the ranks of countries embracing SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet service after the National Communications Authority (NCA) granted approval for its local subsidiary to operate in the country.
According to reports from news agency Ecofin, the NCA’s authorisation of Starlink’s local subsidiary to provide high-speed satellite internet services marks a significant development in Ghana’s telecommunications landscape. Administrative procedures for the issuance of the operating licence are currently underway and expected to conclude shortly, the regulator announced.
The decision to greenlight Starlink’s operations in Ghana follows the approval of the satellite licencing framework by the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation. Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, Ghana’s Minister for Communications and Digitisation, signalled the approval in late March, likely prompted by the disruptions experienced across Africa due to damage to multiple subsea cables off the West African coast.
While backup solutions helped mitigate the impact of these disruptions, satellite networks offer a more reliable communication source, albeit at a higher cost. Licensing satellite operators, including Starlink, is part of the NCA’s strategy to manage future disruptions and ensure quality service provision to consumers.
Starlink’s services have garnered increasing interest in Ghana, despite previous warnings by the regulator against illegal provision and use of Starlink services in December 2023. With the approval, Starlink can now offer its services directly to consumers through its equipment or lease capacity to operators and internet service providers to enhance coverage.
The commercial operations of Starlink in Ghana are expected to commence in the third quarter of 2024, providing a viable solution to connectivity challenges faced by consumers in the country. However, the broader African landscape presents a mixed picture, with countries like Cameroon maintaining a ban on Starlink kit imports, highlighting the diverse regulatory approaches across the continent.
