Starlink Raises Its Subscription Price to ₦75,000 in Nigeria
This marks the second time the company has attempted to raise prices after backtracking an increment in October 2024.
For Nigerians using Starlink, the monthly subscription price hike is finally here.
Starting January 27, 2025, the cost of staying connected with Starlink's satellite internet will double from ₦38,000 to ₦75,000 (~$50), while the hardware router jumps from ₦440,000 to ₦590,000 (~$400).
The company defends the hike, stating in an email to subscribers that the price adjustment is necessary to “enhance network infrastructure” and ensure “high-quality service.” But with Nigeria's economic challenges, critics argue the service could become inaccessible for the average user.
The increase isn’t entirely unexpected—Starlink has been down this road before. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) had initially rejected this price increase in October, citing a lack of proper regulatory approval. That attempt followed Starlink's controversial 97% hike in subscription fees in September, which Starlink attributed to rising inflation.
Louis Eriakha
While the NCC initially threatened sanctions at the time, Starlink backtracked on its proposed price hike and paused sales of its units as a silent protest, warning that regulatory barriers could hinder its operations in Nigeria.
Fast forward to now, the company is pushing ahead with price changes.
Beyond the increased base subscription and hardware costs, the new pricing structure will also see regional roaming priced at ₦167,000 a month and global roaming going for an eye-watering ₦717,000.
For some of the over 20,000 Nigerian Starlink users–per Space In Africa– Starlink will still be the go-to for reliable internet in areas where other providers fail. But for many, it’s starting to feel out of reach.
However, it’s not just Starlink feeling the pinch of inflation. Local telcos like MTN, Airtel, and 9Mobile have been lobbying for years to raise prices citing inflation and rising operational costs. Rumours suggest the NCC may finally approve a 40% hike in call, SMS, and data rates starting January 2025.
If that happens, calls could rise from ₦11 to ₦15.40 per minute, SMS from ₦4 to ₦5.60 per message, and 1GB of data could cost at least ₦1,400.
At the end of the day, staying connected in Nigeria is becoming a lot more expensive, whether you’re using Starlink or traditional telecoms.
Emmanuel Oyedeji
