Residents in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt, Nigeria, have encountered difficulties in ordering new Starlink terminals, as the service is officially “sold out” in these cities, as well as in Benin City and Warri. According to the Starlink availability map, new orders in these high-demand areas are currently on hold, although existing users remain unaffected. Those living outside these regions can still place orders for a Starlink kit and enjoy the service.
Since its launch in January 2023, Starlink’s popularity in Nigeria has surged, especially in underserved areas where local internet service providers (ISPs) are inadequate. Despite its relatively high cost, Starlink has become a preferred ISP for many Nigerians, boasting approximately 23,897 customers by the end of 2023. This trend is not unique to Nigeria; in Zimbabwe, where Starlink recently launched, terminals in Harare have also sold out.
However, Starlink recently faced significant backlash after announcing steep price hikes in September, which nearly doubled the monthly subscription fee and increased hardware costs for new users. The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) challenged these price increases, citing Starlink’s failure to obtain proper regulatory approval. In response, Starlink temporarily paused the price hikes while addressing these regulatory concerns.
