Starlink, owned by Elon Musk, has announced a temporary pause on orders for its residential internet kits in Nigeria. However, the company will continue offering its premium Business Plan, which costs ₦159,000 monthly, compared to the ₦38,000 monthly fee for the Residential Plan.
The suspension is reportedly tied to regulatory processes with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), following Starlink’s recent request to adjust its pricing structure. “We are committed to delivering high-speed internet in Nigeria and are working with regulators to implement changes that will enhance the customer experience,” the company stated, adding that new Residential orders are on hold until the changes are approved.
Starlink recently raised its monthly subscription fee for residential users from ₦38,000 to ₦75,000—a 97% increase. The cost of its hardware kits for new customers also jumped by 34%, from ₦440,000 to ₦590,000. In a message to users, the company attributed the adjustments to “excessive inflation.”
The price hike has drawn criticism from local internet service providers, who allege unfair treatment by the NCC for allowing Starlink to implement these changes. The NCC, however, has denied any favoritism.
Starlink had previously paused new orders in several major cities, including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Benin City, and Warri. Despite these challenges, demand for its services in Nigeria has remained strong since its launch in January last year. A similar trend has been observed in other African countries, with Starlink’s terminals selling out in Harare, Zimbabwe, just two months after gaining approval to operate.
