Starlink suspends price increase for Nigerian subscribers

• Published On: 25 October 2024 at 19:32

Elon Musk's SpaceX-owned satellite internet service, Starlink, has suspended its recent decision to raise monthly subscription fees for Nigerian users.

In a message to subscribers on Thursday, the company, which is Nigeria's third-largest internet service provider, stated that the price increase would be put on hold while it addressed ongoing regulatory issues.

Starlink, which serves the country's 24 million internet users, assured customers who had already been charged the higher rate that they would be credited. The company also reminded users that they can cancel their subscriptions if they want.

"Last month, we increased the monthly service price for Starlink in Nigeria to account for inflation, allowing us to maintain operations and provide dependable service. Today, we are temporarily suspending this price increase while we work through regulatory issues," the company stated. "We are still committed to providing high-speed internet in Nigeria, but we require regulatory approval to make the necessary improvements for a better customer experience. Without these approvals, our ability to continue providing service is jeopardized."

The recent price increase, which increased the monthly subscription from N38,000 to N75,000 (a 97% increase), sparked significant customer backlash. Furthermore, the installation kit for new users was raised from N440,000 to N590,000, representing a 34% increase.

The Nigerian Communications Commission has retracted a previous statement on Starlink's operations, admitting that it was issued in error. The NCC urged media outlets to retract any related publications, emphasizing that the press statement should not have been published.

Mobile operators, through the Association of Licensed Telecommunication Companies of Nigeria, have also criticized the decision to suspend the price increase, calling it a "regulatory affront." Chairman Gbenga Adebayo expressed the association's concerns about Starlink's actions and the impact on Nigeria's telecommunications landscape.