According to industry reports, Ghana is considering granting SpaceX’s Starlink an operational license to provide internet connectivity in the country. This reconsideration comes after the recent internet outage that affected several African countries, including Ghana, due to damage to subsea cables.
The outage significantly impacted mobile network operators, internet service providers, and subscribers, leading the government to consider approving additional internet service providers while the repair work is underway.
During a recent meeting with parliament, the Communication Minister disclosed that Starlink is in the process of being licensed. The minister even encouraged other internet providers to enter the country and suggested that existing ones consider subscribing to RASCOM (Regional African Satellite Communications Organization), an organization established to provide telecommunications services throughout Africa.
Despite facing bans in Zimbabwe and Botswana, Starlink has already launched its services in several African countries, including Nigeria, Kenya, Rwanda, and Zambia. However, in Zimbabwe, the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority warned individuals and businesses against engaging with Starlink, citing the provider’s failure to obtain a license and operational approval. Similarly, Botswana also banned Starlink for similar reasons. Still, Starlink’s website indicates that the service will be available in both countries in Q3 2024.
