Minister for Communications and Digitalisation, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful, has revealed the government’s intention to license Starlink, a satellite internet network, to operate in Ghana.
This move is aimed at tackling internet disruptions in the country.
Briefing Parliament on the issue of internet disruptions on March 18, she said “We have licensed satellite gateway air stations, landing rights, and satellite air station networks. One web has already been licensed. Starlink is in the process of being licensed and other operators are being encouraged to land in Ghana.
“We must also invest in operationalising RASCOM, the Regional African Satellite Company, instead of each country going alone.”
She advised organizations to learn from these internet disruptions by storing their content, databases, applications, and services in at least two tier-three or tier-four data centers in the country, located at different locations.
Additionally, she recommended utilizing the National Data Center as either their primary or backup recovery data host.
Before the recent internet disruption, the minister noted that her department lacked the framework for licensing satellites. However, over the years, it has acquired the necessary expertise to license these satellites.
“The NCA did not have a framework for licensing satellites but the Authority has in the last year concluded bench-marking and learning from other jurisdictions where this has been implemented. Currently, they have developed a satellite licensing framework in Ghana which has been approved by its board and awaiting the final policy approval.
“This framework will provide the policies and rules relating to the application for frequency authorisations for satellite services in Ghana. It outlines the various categories of satellite services, the licensing requirements, and its associated fees,” she added.
In December 2023, the ministry issued a warning to the public against purchasing products from Starlink, emphasizing that the company was not licensed to operate in Ghana.
The notice said, “Any entity which provides electronic communication services in Ghana without a Licence or Authorisation from the NCA is in direct violation of Section 3(1) of the Electronic Communications Act 2008, Act 775 which 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”.
Presently, Madam Owusu-Ekuful has assured that the ministry has conducted due diligence and is prepared to grant an operating license to Starlink to enhance internet accessibility.
“A draft framework was subjected to industry consultation and approved by industry. The objective of the framework is to provide increased regulatory oversight for the services, more connectivity solutions or options for consumers, and other measures,” she added.
She noted, however, that the service provided by Starlink is costly. According to her, there are plans to involve other sector players to serve individuals across various economic backgrounds.
“However, I must remind us all that the fee charged by the satellite, low-earth orbit satellite operators like Starlink for hardware and services show that they will cater for high-end value subscribers because they are expensive.
“We’re currently also having discussions about affordable back-haul satellite solutions with all satellite service providers under the auspices of the ITU. This conversation has been ongoing for a while, but I believe what has happened in the recent past will activate and energise these discussions for solutions to be reached soon.”