Three weeks after Nigeria’s communication regulator blocked the rise, SpaceX-owned satellite internet provider Starlink has retracted its proposal to raise its base subscription rates in the country.
This decision comes as a pleasant relief to Nigerians who have been waiting for affordable internet solutions.
The business earlier raised the regular residential plan with a 1 TB fair usage policy to ₦75,000 ($48) from ₦38,000 ($24).
Local roaming, which allows consumers to use Starlink kits beyond their homes or workplaces within Nigeria, has increased to ₦167,000 per month, up from ₦49,000.
Starlink stated that it had to suspend the hike due to regulatory issues in Nigeria, implying that the suspension was made in response to pressure from the Nigerian Communications Commission, which had previously criticised the decision.
Starlink stated that any customers who have been charged the new fee will receive credit to reimburse the difference.
However, the corporation mirrored local operators’ sentiments about the necessity to raise prices in order to stay in business.
According to the satellite services provider: “Last month, we increased the monthly service price for Starlink in Nigeria to account for inflation, helping us maintain operations and continue delivering reliable service.
“Today, we are temporarily suspending this price increase as we navigate regulatory challenges.
“If you’ve already been charged at the higher rate, a one-time credit will be applied to your account to cover the difference.
“You also have the flexibility to cancel your service at any time,” Starlink wrote to its Nigerian subscribers.
Newsng understands that Nigerians can now experience seamless, high-speed internet connectivity at a low-cost thanks to Starlink’s updated pricing.
This is expected to transform Nigeria’s digital landscape, empowering individuals, businesses, and communities.
We earlier reported that Mali’s military leadership overturned a ban on the sale and import of SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet kits, which had been enforced out of concern that Islamist terrorists and separatist rebels could use the equipment.
