Users subscribed to Starlink in Nigeria are facing a significant price increase, particularly for roaming services. However, the prices for the Starlink kits themselves have remained unchanged.
Starlink, a satellite internet company under SpaceX, has decided to double its basic subscription rates in Nigeria, citing the country’s high inflation rates.
“Due to the considerable inflation levels, the monthly service fee for Starlink will be adjusted,” Starlink communicated to its users through an email.
The standard residential plan, which includes a 1 TB fair usage policy, will now be priced at ₦75,000 ($48), up from ₦38,000 ($24).
Customers utilizing Starlink for roaming purposes will experience the most substantial price hikes; local roaming services, allowing users to utilize Starlink kits outside their primary locations within Nigeria, will now cost ₦167,000 per month, up from ₦49,000.
For international roaming, the cost will be ₦717,000 per month.
Existing subscribers will transition to these new rates starting October 31st, while new users will immediately be subject to the revised pricing.
Incentives Absent in Starlink Nigeria
In Nigeria, the Starlink kit remains priced at ₦440,000, and unlike in Kenya, there is no rental option available for those unable to pay the full amount. Additionally, Nigerian users do not have access to a more affordable 50GB plan like the one offered in Kenya for KES 1,300.
In Kenya, customers can opt for a less expensive Starlink Mini kit priced at KES 27,000. Although it provides lower speeds of up to 100 Mbps (compared to the standard kit’s 200 Mbps), the monthly subscription is also cheaper at KES 4,000. The standard subscription in Kenya costs KES 6,500.
These incentives are likely implemented in response to the heightened competition from major internet service providers in the region, such as Safaricom and Jamii Telecommunications. For example, Safaricom recently boosted its speeds to address customer concerns about slow connectivity and high costs.
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