Ghanaians can’t use Starlink yet – NCA warns
Ghana’s National Communications Authority (NCA) has recently issued a warning to the public regarding the use of Starlink services in the country. The caution, released on December 7, comes in response to reports of equipment being sold and operated without proper licensing.
The NCA clarified in a news release that they have neither licensed the operations of Starlink in Ghana nor approved any of their equipment. Despite SpaceX’s commercial launch of Starlink in Ghana expected in the third quarter of 2024, the extensive low Earth orbit network already covers the country, along with others that have not yet granted permission for such services.
“We wish to inform the general public that, the NCA has neither licensed the operations of Starlink in Ghana nor type-approved any of their equipment,” the NCA said in a news release.
The situation echoes concerns in other African countries, with regulators in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Senegal issuing similar warnings against the use of Starlink without proper authorization.
In South Africa, the Independent Communications Authority highlighted that Starlink products were being distributed without a license, both within the country and from neighboring nations.
The regulatory authority emphasized the potential consequences, including fines of approximately $264,000 or 10% of the annual turnover for each day the offense continued. This collective regulatory stance underscores the importance of adhering to licensing protocols and obtaining approval for satellite broadband services.