Broadcast Media Africa has learnt that the National Communications Authority of Ghana (NCA) has approved SpaceX Starlink GH LTD to provide high-speed satellite internet services.
In a statement, the regulator announced that administrative procedures for issuing the operating license are underway and expected to be completed soon.
“The approval of the application follows the policy approval of the satellite licensing framework in Ghana by the Ministry of Communications and Digitalization,” stated the Ghanaian communications regulator in its release.
In response to recent disruptions in internet service due to incidents involving undersea fibre optic cables, the NCA has taken swift action. The expedited process of licensing satellite telecom service operators is a key part of their strategy to prevent such situations and ensure high service quality for consumers. This proactive approach instils confidence in the stability of the telecom market in Ghana.
Also, consumers have shown increasing interest in Starlink services. In December 2023, the regulator had to warn against the illegal provision and use of Starlink services.
With Starlink’s imminent entry into the Ghanaian telecom market, a new era of competition and improved internet adoption is on the horizon. The company’s versatile approach, offering direct services to consumers or leasing capacities to fill coverage gaps, is set to revolutionise the industry. Commercial operations will begin in Ghana in the third quarter of 2024, promising a bright future for the telecom sector.
According to the latest available statistics from the NCA, Ghana had 22.6 million subscribers to mobile internet services, with a penetration rate of 70.8% in the first quarter of 2023. There were also about 105,800 subscribers to fixed internet services.
