By Emmanuel Nduka
Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite service, has announced a new round of subscription price increases for its Nigerian market.
The hike takes immediate effect for new customers and from January 27, 2025, for existing users, the company owned by the world’s richest man noted.
Starlink said the adjustments aim to fund improvements to its network infrastructure and ensure the continued delivery of reliable, high-quality internet service across the country.
In an email sent to subscribers on Friday, Starlink detailed the revised pricing structure:
Standard (Residential): ₦75,000 per month
Mobile – Regional (Roam Unlimited): ₦167,000 per month
Mobile Global (Global Roam): ₦717,000 per month
“These changes reflect our commitment to investing in the infrastructure needed to support and improve your experience with Starlink,” the company said.
Musk’s Starlink also assured subscribers of the flexibility to cancel their subscriptions at any time, should they decide the service no longer meets their needs.
Heritage Times HT reports that this is not the first time Starlink has adjusted its pricing in Nigeria.
Earlier in September this year, the company nearly doubled its standard subscription fee, increasing it from ₦38,000 to ₦75,000, a 97% hike. At the time, Starlink attributed the change to rising inflation.
The move initially drew regulatory scrutiny, with the Nigerian Communications Commission threatening sanctions before later backtracking on its stance, leaving the issue of regulatory approval unresolved.
Starlink launched its services in Nigeria in December 2022, marking the country as its first African market. The service has been lauded for extending internet access to remote and underserved areas, but its pricing model has faced criticism for being unaffordable to many Nigerians.
The latest price increase comes amidst a challenging economic climate in Nigeria, sparking concerns about the accessibility and sustainability of Starlink’s services for the average consumer.
While the company highlights its investment in infrastructure as a justification, questions linger over whether its premium pricing aligns with the realities of its market in Nigeria.
