The National Communications Authority (NCA) has issued a stern warning against the use and sale of Starlink internet services, declaring the operations of SpaceX’s satellite internet service illegal within the country.
In a statement released on Thursday, December 7, the NCA confirmed that it has neither licensed Starlink nor approved any of its equipment for use in Ghana. Starlink, a satellite internet service provided by SpaceX, aims to deliver high-speed, low-latency internet access to underserved areas globally, including Ghana.
The NCA’s statement read, “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.”
The statement continued to highlight that operating electronic communication services in Ghana without proper authorization is a direct violation of Section 3(1) of the Electronic Communications Act 2008, Act 775. This section states that, “Except as otherwise provided under this Act, a person shall not operate a public electronic communications service or network or provide a voice telephony service without a licence granted by the Authority.”
The NCA has strongly cautioned the public against patronizing any equipment or service claiming to be from Starlink. It explicitly stated, “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.”
This development raises concern about how developing satellite internet services are regulated and legalised in different nations, as well as how well they can fit into the regulatory frameworks that are already in place. How SpaceX and Starlink handle this regulatory obstacle in Ghana is still to be seen. It remains to be seen how SpaceX and Starlink will respond to this regulatory challenge in Ghana.