Guinea-Bissau’s National Regulatory Authority for Information and Communication Technologies ARN-TIC has officially approved Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, for operation in the country, marking a significant step towards enhancing digital connectivity.
The licensing announcement was made by Bamba Kote, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Telecommunications Regulatory Entity ARN, during the opening session of the 22nd General Assembly of West African Telecommunications Regulators (WATRA) in Bissau on Thursday, April 10 2025.
Although Starlink received a provisional license in December, the company is now finalising the last administrative requirements before rolling out full operations in Guinea-Bissau.
Starlink’s entry is anticipated to resolve Guinea-Bissau’s persistent internet challenges, where connectivity has primarily relied on just two providers Orange, the Senegalese arm of French telecom giant Orange Group, and Telecel, which recently acquired South Africa’s MTN operations.
Both operators deliver internet via fiber optic links through Senegal and Guinea-Conakry and wireless Hertzian beams.
Yet, frequent service outages plague these networks, leaving large parts of the country with unreliable internet access.
With its satellite-based connectivity, Starlink will be instrumental in overcoming the country’s internet deficits, providing expansive and stable coverage, particularly in hard-to-reach regions with limited infrastructure.
Guinea-Bissau becomes Starlink’s 20th African market after its Somalia and Niger launches earlier this year, signaling the company’s intensified efforts to connect underserved regions with satellite-based internet.
Source: https://spaceinafrica.com/2025/04/15/guinea-bissau-approves-starlink-license-enabling-broader-internet-coverage/
