Lodge owners in Namibia’s Zambezi region are urging authorities to grant operational rights to satellite internet provider Starlink, highlighting the impact of poor connectivity on the tourism industry.
Many lodges in the region are situated in remote areas, making it difficult to access reliable internet services for daily operations and customer needs.
Speaking on Sunday, Namibia Wetlands Route chairman Simone Micheletti emphasized that inadequate internet is driving away potential guests.
“Visitors are frustrated with slow or unavailable internet. They report their concerns to tour operators, who then avoid booking accommodations at affected lodges,” he explained.
Micheletti pointed out that tourists find it surprising that lodges in neighboring Botswana and Zambia offer seamless internet access, while those in Namibia struggle with connectivity issues, making it difficult to make video calls, communicate with family, or work remotely.
“Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe already have Starlink access, giving them a competitive advantage over us,” he added.
He stressed that allowing Starlink to operate in Namibia would not only support tourism businesses but also boost the national economy.
“Reliable internet is essential for cloud-based operations, secure online transactions, and remote system management. Additionally, increasing crime rates make CCTV surveillance necessary for lodges, yet without stable internet, security systems are ineffective. This puts both businesses and guests at risk,” Micheletti said.
He called on authorities to embrace technological advancements and introduce better service providers to prevent Namibia’s tourism sector from lagging behind.
“Local internet services are overpriced and lack quality. We need Starlink or another provider that can deliver affordable, high-speed internet, not just for tourism but also for rural communities and young Namibians seeking digital opportunities,” he added.
Starlink’s Approval Still Pending
Starlink, a division of SpaceX led by Elon Musk, delivers broadband internet through a satellite network of approximately 5,500 satellites launched since 2019.
However, in December, Namibia’s Communications Regulatory Authority (Cran) ordered Starlink to cease operations due to regulatory non-compliance.
Cran’s chief executive, Emilia Nghikembua, confirmed on Sunday that Starlink has applied for approval, but its request remains under review.
She explained that Namibia’s Communications Act imposes ownership restrictions, stating that no licensee can be controlled by a foreign entity or individual, and foreign ownership cannot exceed 49% unless granted special permission by the minister.
“The minister has the authority to approve exceptions. Once compliance with Section 46 of the Act is ensured, Cran will move forward with Starlink’s application,” Nghikembua stated.
