The approval of the application follows the policy approval of the Satellite Licensing Framework in Ghana by the Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation.
The National Communications Authority of Ghana (NCA) has approved SpaceX Starlink GH LTD, the local subsidiary of the American tech giant, to provide high-speed satellite internet services across the nation. The regulatory body announced that administrative procedures for the issuance of the operating license are currently underway and expected to conclude imminently.
“The approval of the application follows the policy endorsement of the satellite licensing framework in Ghana by the Ministry of Communications and Digitalization,” stated the Ghanaian communications regulator in its official release.
The swift processing of the application follows recent internet service disruptions attributed to incidents involving various undersea fiber optic cables. Licensing satellite telecom service providers forms part of the proactive measures implemented by the NCA to mitigate such occurrences and ensure superior service quality for consumers. Moreover, there has been a surge in consumer interest in Starlink services, prompting regulatory attention. In December 2023, the NCA issued warnings against the illegal provision and usage of Starlink services.
The introduction of Starlink into Ghana’s telecom market is poised to invigorate competition and drive internet adoption rates in the country. The company will have the capacity to deliver services directly to consumers through its proprietary kit or lease its capabilities to telecom operators and internet service providers to address coverage gaps. Commercial operations by Starlink in Ghana are slated to commence in Q3 2024.
According to the latest available statistics from the NCA, Ghana boasted 22.6m subscribers to mobile internet services, with a penetration rate of 70.8% in the first quarter of 2023. Additionally, there were approximately 105,800 subscribers to fixed internet services, highlighting the nation’s growing connectivity landscape.
