Elon Musk’s Starlink has temporarily suspended orders for its residential internet kits across Nigeria, pending regulatory approval for a proposed price adjustment from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
While the residential plan, previously priced at ₦38,000 per month, remains on hold, customers can still subscribe to Starlink’s Business Plan, which costs ₦159,000 monthly.
In a statement addressing the suspension, the company explained its focus on enhancing internet service delivery in Nigeria and its current strategies to secure regulatory clearance for the planned changes. “Until these changes are approved, we are placing new Residential orders on hold,” Starlink clarified.
Starlink, which launched its operations in Nigeria in January 2023, has seen high demand for its satellite internet services, especially in urban centres like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt.
Earlier this year, the company halted new orders in five major cities, pointing out capacity issues. However, the current suspension extends nationwide and is tied to regulatory issues over the proposed price hike.
The surge in popularity is not unique to Nigeria. Reports reveal that Starlink terminals in Harare, Zimbabwe, have also sold out less than two months after the service began operations in the country, stressing the growing demand for reliable internet access across Africa.
At the heart of the issue is Starlink’s attempt to increase its monthly subscription fee by 97%, from ₦38,000 to ₦75,000, and the cost of its hardware kits by 34%, from ₦440,000 to ₦590,000.
The company attributed these adjustments to “excessive inflation.” However, the announcement drew criticism from local telecom operators, who accused the NCC of applying double standards by allowing Starlink to propose a price increase, a request Nigerian operators claim has been denied for years.
The NCC denied approving the price hike, stating that Starlink’s actions violated Sections 108 and 111 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, and the company’s licensing conditions.
The regulator subsequently initiated pre-enforcement measures against the company, stressing that any tariff changes must align with existing guidelines.
In response to regulatory pushback, Starlink suspended the proposed price increments, warning that its ability to continue delivering high-speed internet in Nigeria hinges on receiving the necessary approvals. “Without these approvals, our ability to continue delivering service is at risk,” the company stated.
Starlink is working to address these challenges and the suspension of residential orders has left many Nigerian consumers in limbo, with no clear timeline for resolution.
