In recent years, Starlink, the satellite internet service owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, has generated significant interest in Nigeria. Launched in 2023, Starlink promised to solve one of the country’s biggest issues: poor internet connectivity, especially in rural areas.
As a satellite-based service, Starlink delivers high-speed internet to even the most remote locations, making it a game-changer for individuals and businesses alike.
However, as many Nigerians rushed to adopt the service, the pricing became a major talking point. Starlink’s hardware and subscription prices have experienced several changes since its launch, with many Nigerians finding it increasingly expensive.
In this article, we will dive deep into the current Starlink prices in Nigeria, its fluctuations, and whether it’s worth the investment.
Starlink Pricing Breakdown
Hardware (Router) Cost
To get started with Starlink in Nigeria, users need to purchase the necessary hardware, which includes a satellite dish and a Wi-Fi router.
As of October 2024, the cost of the Starlink hardware in Nigeria stands at N590,000. This marks a significant increase from the earlier price of N274,098 during its 2023 launch. At one point, the price even surged to N800,000 due to the Naira’s depreciation.
Despite fluctuations, the current hardware price is still higher compared to local internet service providers (ISPs), but the ability to access high-speed internet in rural areas makes it attractive for some. Furthermore, Starlink has introduced discounts in the past, slashing prices by as much as 45%.
Monthly Subscription Cost
Along with the hardware, Starlink’s monthly subscription price has also seen significant hikes.
Initially priced at N19,260 per month, the subscription cost increased to N38,000 and, most recently, to N75,000. This is a 97% jump from its original price and reflects the impact of Nigeria’s inflation and currency depreciation.
For mobile users, Starlink offers different roaming packages:
- Mobile Regional Roam Unlimited: N167,000 monthly.
- Mobile Global Roam: N717,000 monthly.
These roaming plans are designed for users who frequently travel and need constant high-speed internet access, but the high costs make them more suitable for businesses than for individual users.
Starlink Price Table in Nigeria
| Service | Price (Naira) | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Starlink Hardware (Router) | N590,000 | This includes the satellite dish and Wi-Fi router required to connect to the Starlink network. |
| Monthly Subscription – Standard | N75,000 | Residential plan providing internet access for home users with speeds up to 200 Mbps. |
| Monthly Subscription – Mobile Regional Roam | N167,000 | Regional roaming plan allowing users to access the internet while moving within a specific region. |
| Monthly Subscription – Mobile Global Roam | N717,000 | Global roaming plan designed for users traveling internationally, providing internet access across multiple regions. |
Why the High Prices?
The main reason behind these price hikes is Nigeria’s inflation and the falling value of the Naira.
Since Starlink deals in dollars, any fluctuation in the exchange rate directly impacts its pricing in Nigeria. For instance, in just one year, the Naira’s value depreciated by over 50%, going from N907 per dollar to N1,600 per dollar. This has led to Starlink adjusting its prices several times, much to the frustration of its users.
Starlink has cited “excessive levels of inflation” as the reason for the price increases. However, while some users find the new pricing difficult to justify, others continue to use Starlink because of its fast speeds and reliable connection, especially in areas where traditional ISPs perform poorly.
Comparing Starlink to Other African Countries
Interestingly, Nigeria is not the most expensive country in Africa for Starlink services. In neighboring Benin, the hardware costs around $675 (CFA400,000), while the monthly subscription is approximately $50.
On the other hand, Rwanda offers the lowest hardware price at around $337, and Malawi offers the cheapest monthly subscription at $36.
Despite the high prices in Nigeria, Starlink remains competitive in terms of internet speed, offering download speeds between 50 Mbps and 200 Mbps, significantly higher than the country’s average broadband speed of around 20 Mbps.
Is Starlink Worth It?
This is a question that many potential users are asking. The high costs of Starlink’s hardware and monthly subscription are major factors to consider. However, for people living in rural or underserved areas where internet connectivity is almost non-existent, Starlink could be a worthy investment.
The convenience of having reliable, high-speed internet that is unaffected by local infrastructure challenges is a big selling point.
In urban areas where several ISPs offer broadband services, Starlink’s value proposition might not be as strong. Traditional ISPs like MTN and Airtel provide more affordable plans, though they may not match Starlink’s speeds and coverage reliability.
For businesses that rely heavily on internet access, particularly those in remote regions, the high cost of Starlink may be justifiable.
The enhanced speeds and wider coverage could significantly improve productivity, especially in industries like agriculture, education, and telemedicine, where access to reliable internet is critical.
Starlink Alternatives for Nigerians
If the cost of Starlink is too high, there are several viable alternatives offering competitive speeds and reliability. Here are some of the best alternatives:
1. MTN 5G
MTN Nigeria is one of the leading telecom companies in the country and has rolled out 5G services in major cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. The service offers ultra-fast speeds and low latency, making it ideal for streaming, gaming, and remote work.
- Speed: Up to 1 Gbps in optimal conditions.
- Monthly Plans: Prices range from N30,000 for 100GB to N100,000 for 500GB.
- Pros: Widely available in major cities and easy to set up.
- Cons: Limited coverage outside major urban areas.
2. Airtel 5G
Airtel, another major telecom provider, is also working on deploying 5G networks across Nigeria. While it is still in the rollout phase, the company offers competitive speeds and reliable service.
- Speed: Up to 900 Mbps.
- Monthly Plans: Similar to MTN, Airtel offers data plans ranging from N25,000 to N95,000 depending on data allowance.
- Pros: High speeds and good customer service.
- Cons: 5G coverage is not yet extensive.
3. Spectranet
Spectranet is a popular ISP in Nigeria that offers 4G LTE services. While it does not provide 5G speeds, it remains a strong alternative for affordable internet access.
- Speed: Up to 20 Mbps.
- Monthly Plans: Starts at N7,000 for 20GB to N30,000 for 200GB.
- Pros: Affordable and reliable in cities like Lagos and Abuja.
- Cons: Slower speeds compared to 5G and limited to major cities.
4. Smile Communications
Smile provides 4G LTE services and has a reputation for good customer service and reliable connectivity.
- Speed: Up to 21 Mbps.
- Monthly Plans: N12,000 for 50GB to N40,000 for unlimited data.
- Pros: Easy to set up and affordable plans.
- Cons: Limited coverage and slower speeds compared to 5G.
5. Tizeti (WiFi.com.ng)
Tizeti is a growing ISP that uses solar-powered towers to provide affordable and reliable internet services.
- Speed: Up to 30 Mbps.
- Monthly Plans: Ranges from N10,000 for unlimited data to N20,000 for premium plans.
- Pros: Unlimited data at affordable rates.
- Cons: Limited to certain locations and slower speeds compared to 5G.
FAQs About Starlink in Nigeria
1. What is the current price of Starlink hardware in Nigeria?
The current price of Starlink hardware in Nigeria is N590,000. This price includes the satellite dish and the Wi-Fi router required for connectivity.
2. How much is the monthly subscription for Starlink in Nigeria?
The standard monthly subscription for Starlink in Nigeria is N75,000. There are also mobile roaming plans available: Regional Roam for N167,000 and Global Roam for N717,000.
3. Why has Starlink increased its prices in Nigeria?
Starlink cited inflation and the depreciation of the Naira as the main reasons for its price increase. As the Naira’s value fluctuates against the US dollar, the company adjusts its prices to reflect these changes.
4. Are there any cheaper alternatives to Starlink in Nigeria?
Yes, there are several alternatives like MTN 5G, Airtel 5G, Spectranet, Smile, and Tizeti. These providers offer a range of plans with different speeds and data allowances at lower prices.
5. Can I get a Starlink mini hardware kit in Nigeria?
Currently, Starlink has not introduced the mini hardware kit option in Nigeria. However, this could be a possibility in the future as it has been launched in other African countries like Kenya and Rwanda.
Conclusion
Starlink’s high-speed internet service has been a welcome innovation in Nigeria, especially for those in remote areas. However, the service comes at a steep price, with hardware costing N590,000 and monthly subscriptions set at N75,000.
Inflation and the depreciation of the Naira have contributed to these price hikes, making Starlink one of the more expensive internet options in the country.
Despite the costs, the demand for reliable internet in underserved areas means that Starlink continues to grow its user base in Nigeria. For those willing to invest, Starlink offers unparalleled internet speeds and coverage, but for others, the high prices may remain a barrier.
