Elon Musk‘s satellite internet business, Starlink, has announced that its monthly membership fees will increase throughout Nigeria. This hike will take effect immediately for new clients and on January 27, 2025, for current users.
The company said in a Friday email to its subscribers that the price changes are required to improve its network infrastructure and continue providing high-quality internet service nationwide.
N75,000 for Standard (Residential), N167,000 for Mobile-Regional (Roam Unlimited), and N717,000 for Mobile-Global (Global Roam) is the new price structure.
“Our dedication to investing in the infrastructure required to support and enhance your Starlink experience is reflected in these changes,” the business stated.
The operator further stated that customers were made aware of the ability to terminate their membership at any moment if they decided they no longer wanted to use the service.
Starlink attempted a price increase in September, raising the monthly rate from N38,000 to N75,000, a 97% increase. The business justified the change at the time by pointing to inflation.
However, there was uncertainty regarding regulatory permission because the Nigerian Communications Commission first declared that it would punish Starlink for this illegal increase, only to later take the statement back.
While dealing with these regulatory obstacles, Starlink promised credits to impacted consumers and temporarily halted the price increase in response to the outcry.
Nigeria became the first African nation to acquire the satellite-based internet service when Starlink began operations there in December 2022. The company has received accolades for bringing internet to neglected and isolated locations, but it has also come under fire for its pricing strategy, which some claim is too expensive for the typical Nigerian.
The price rise raises concerns regarding the affordability and accessibility of Starlink’s service for the general public at a time when Nigerians are already facing financial difficulties.
