Ghana to License Starlink Amidst Subsea Cable Disruptions

Ghana’s Minister for Communications and Digitisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, has revealed plans to license satellite internet provider Starlink, following recent disruptions to four subsea cables that caused a widespread internet blackout in Ghana and neighboring regions. Just three months after warning against the use of Starlink kits, the country now appears poised to authorise the service as an alternative connectivity solution.

SpaceX, the company behind Starlink, is anticipated to launch its services in Ghana by the third quarter of 2024. However, Starlink’s low earth orbit (LEO) network, consisting of approximately 6,000 satellites, already covers Ghana and several other African countries where regulatory approval is pending.

Minister Owusu-Ekuful announced in parliament this week that Ghana has already licensed satellite gateway air stations and landing rights. Additionally, OneWeb, another satellite internet provider, has been granted a license, with Starlink currently undergoing the licensing process.

While acknowledging the high cost of Starlink services for Ghanaians, Minister Owusu-Ekuful assured that the government is committed to investing in rural broadband infrastructure and exploring more economically viable satellite solutions.

Moreover, discussions are underway with satellite service providers, facilitated by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), to explore affordable back-haul satellite solutions. Minister Owusu-Ekuful expressed optimism that recent internet disruptions would catalyse these discussions, leading to prompt solutions.

The move comes amidst severe disruptions in most of Africa’s broadband space. The recent damage to subsea internet cables, affecting millions of users across West, Central, and Southern Africa, underscores the importance of diversifying connectivity options. With Starlink’s low earth orbit (LEO) technology, Ghana aims to provide more resilient internet access, especially in remote areas.

The minister’s revelation comes amidst severe disruptions plaguing most of Africa’s broadband space. The damage of four major undersea internet cables serving the continent has recently been damaged, causing massive blackouts across West, Central, and Southern Africa.

Whether Ghana joining the fray is a premonition of a regulatory reconsideration in the continent amid the internet blackouts, only time can tell.