The National Communication Authority (NCA) has officially granted approval for Space X Starlink GH LTD, a company associated with American billionaire Elon Musk, to operate in Ghana. In a statement released on Thursday, April 25, 2024, the NCA confirmed that Space X Starlink has been cleared to offer satellite broadband services within the country.
“The National Communications Authority (NCA) has approved the application of Space X Starlink GH LTD, operators of Starlink Satellite Broadband, to provide Satellite Broadband Services in Ghana,” the statement read.
Starlink, a company owned by SpaceX, operates a network of low-Earth orbit satellites that provide high-speed broadband internet by transmitting signals between satellites and ground stations. The standard residential service for Starlink costs $120 per month for unlimited data, with a one-time equipment fee ranging between $599 and $2,500. Currently, it is available in seven African countries: Mozambique, Eswatini, Zambia, Malawi, Kenya, Rwanda, and Nigeria.
This development follows the Ministry of Communications and Digitalization’s policy approval of Ghana’s Satellite Licensing Framework. The NCA added that the final administrative processes for issuing the license are underway and will be completed soon.
This announcement marks a shift from a previous warning issued by the NCA in December 2023, where the Authority stated that Starlink had no legal license to operate in the country. At the time, the NCA cautioned Ghanaians against using Starlink’s services, explaining that doing so would violate the Electronic Communications Act.
Back then, the NCA had clarified, “Any entity providing electronic communication services in Ghana without a license is in direct violation of the Electronic Communications Act 2008 (Act 775).” The public was also advised not to patronize Starlink’s services until proper authorizations were in place.
With the recent approval, Starlink’s operation in Ghana is now officially on track, offering the potential for broader internet access across the nation.
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