Echo Namibia goes orbital with OneWeb launch
Echo Namibia has officially launched OneWeb low-earth orbit satellite services in Namibia, marking the company's tenth year as an internet service provider and extending high-speed connectivity to remote and underserved parts of the country.
The Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia granted Echo Namibia a service operating licence for OneWeb LEO satellite services in January 2026, following an evaluation process of more than a year that included a public hearing.
Echo Namibia, which was established in 2016 as Witel Service Provider and operates as a fully licensed telecommunications provider, said it had already deployed more than 30 sites since January before proceeding with the formal launch.
The service, delivered in partnership with South Africa-based Q-KON, offers speeds of up to 100 Mbps and capacity of up to 2 TB per site. It is designed for sectors including banking, tourism, mining, maritime, oil and gas, government and education, as well as rural communities that cannot reliably depend on terrestrial infrastructure.
Christo Greeff, managing director of Echo Namibia, said the technology would extend connectivity to businesses of all sizes across Namibia.
"LEO satellite technology will shape the future of connectivity in Namibia," he said. "We have extensively tested OneWeb LEO through multiple sites across the country, and the results have been exceptional."
Dawie de Wet, group chief executive of Q-KON, said the CRAN licence represented a significant development for the sector.
"Securing the CRAN licence is a landmark moment for connectivity in Namibia," he said. "By combining our world-class satellite services with Echo Namibia's deep regional expertise, we will deliver reliable connectivity to every corner of this vast country."
Low-earth orbit satellites operate at altitudes significantly lower than traditional geostationary satellites, resulting in reduced signal latency and improved performance — an advantage for applications such as financial transactions, video conferencing and real-time data transfer.
