The National Communications Authority (NCA) has issued a warning against the use and sale of Starlink internet services in Ghana, declaring its operations illegal.

According to the Authority, it has neither licensed Starlink nor approved any of its equipment for use within the country.

Contained in a statement issued by the NCA on Thursday, December 7, it stated that any entity which provides electronic communication services in Ghana without a License or Authorization from the NCA is in direct violation of Section 3(1) of the Electronic Communications Act 2008, Act 775.

NCA highlighted that except as otherwise provided under the Act, a “person shall not operate a public electronic communications service or network or provide a voice telephony service without a license granted by the Authority”.

“The attention of the National Communications Authority (NCA) has been drawn to the alleged sale of Starlink equipment and its operations in Ghana. 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.”
National Communications Authority

Ghanaians urged to desist from patronizing Starlink equipment

Furthermore, the NCA cautioned the public to desist from patronizing any equipment or service purported to be from Starlink. It noted that persons engaging in the sale or operations of the service are also directed to cease and desist immediately.

“The NCA wishes to assure the general public that as an entity established by law, the Authority will continue to ensure fair participation and competition in the market to safeguard its licensees and consumers.”
National Communications Authority

Starlink is a satellite internet service provided by SpaceX that aims to provide high-speed, low-latency internet access to underserved areas around the world, including Ghana.

Experts estimate that the global market for consumer satellite services, including TV, radio, and broadband internet, was worth over $92 billion in 2022. As a result, Starlink could be in a good position to capture a big piece of the market.

Although initially conceived for the consumer segment, Starlink’s offerings have expanded to serve enterprise customers including maritime and aviation industries.

Space Exploration Technologies Corp. has launched more than 1,500 satellites so far and has Starlink operations in about a dozen countries.

Starlink has been praised for its ability to connect remote parts of the world that would otherwise not have access to reliable internet. The service has also become indispensable in areas hit by natural disasters, and, more recently, during times of conflict, particularly in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Mr Musk plans to deliver broadband internet around the world, using 42,000 satellites. His Space X company has launched more than 800 into orbit already and hopes to have 12,000 in the sky by 2026.

That notwithstanding, Starlink’s growing influence is garnering condemnation from critics who say Musk is meddling in geopolitics. Meanwhile, the scientific community has its own concerns.

The satellite internet service is already being used by a handful of people across the UK as the company began rolling out a limited trial in January 2021. It is expected to compete against providers such as OneWeb, which government investment controversially saved from bankruptcy a year prior.

Telecom analysts said the competition could help drive down the price of satellite broadband for consumers.

Starlink began testing its small satellite dishes, dubbed Dishy McFlatFace, in North America and Canada. UK consumers will pay £439 for the gear and a further £84 a month to receive Starlink’s broadband.