Exclusive: Starlink Charging Nigerian Customers Over 97% More Since 2023 launch

In a striking move that reflects the deepening economic challenges facing Nigerians, Starlink, the satellite internet service provider, has once again raised its subscription fees.

This marks a significant leap from the already hefty N38,000 per month fee it charged in 2023, to a new rate of N75,000 – an increase of 97%.

For many, this adjustment, which became effective in January 2025, comes when inflation is driving up costs across all sectors, adding to the burdens of ordinary Nigerians already grappling with economic instability.

The timing of the increase suggests that Starlink was preparing for anticipated regulatory changes, as other local internet service providers were clamouring for tariff increases at the time.

Moreover, the company tried to hike its fees in September 2024 but was rebuffed by the NCC for failing to acquire the necessary regulatory approval.

The NCC said the”proposed hike violated Sections 108 and 111 of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA), 2003, and Starlink’s Licence Conditions regarding tariffs.”

Starlink’s hardware, which initially cost N440,000, remains an investment out of reach for many. With the new subscription price, consumers now face a compounded financial strain. The global satellite internet provider cites the ongoing inflationary pressure in Nigeria, alongside the rising costs of operational inputs, as the main factors behind this steep increase.

In a detailed email to its Nigerian users, Starlink explained that the increase was necessary to provide the infrastructure needed to improve the user experience: “To continue enhancing the Starlink network and provide reliable, high-quality service across Nigeria, we are adjusting our monthly subscription prices. These changes are part of our ongoing commitment to investing in the infrastructure needed to improve your experience with Starlink.”

Aside from the Standard (Residential), which has increased to N75,000, Starlink said customers on Regional roaming subscriptions will now pay N167,000 monthly, while those on global roaming will pay N717,000.

However, some experts feel that the price hike is too steep for a company that has not invested in the infrastructure of the Nigerian telecommunications industry.

Starlink only beams its satellite in Nigeria and acquired an ISP licence from the NCC to offer its service in the country. It currently has zero investment in the country. Many of us started since the liberalization of the telecom sector, putting in all our resources to deploy more infrastructure to get more Nigerians connected despite the various challenges in the operating environment,” the CEO of a Nigerian ISP told Nairametrics when the Starlink hike was first announced.

But the impact of the rising inflation cannot be denied. It has become an unrelenting force in Nigeria’s economy, eating away at the purchasing power of the Naira and driving up the costs of everything from food to fuel.

Data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows that Nigeria’s inflation rate has remained high, exacerbating the plight of the average Nigerian. The cost of living continues to climb, leaving consumers to adjust to soaring prices for even the most basic of goods and services.

But it’s not just Starlink. The past year has seen price hikes across numerous sectors, from transportation to housing, as businesses in Nigeria struggle to keep up with rising operational costs. The depreciation of the Naira against major currencies has contributed to the upward trajectory of prices for imported goods, further driving inflation.

For businesses like Starlink, which operate in an environment where overheads and the cost of conducting business are increasingly volatile, price adjustments become unavoidable.

While satellite internet service remains a premium product in the market, the demand for reliable internet access in a country with inadequate broadband infrastructure has led to rapid growth in Starlink’s customer base.

However, this has also made the service out of reach for many, particularly in a country where the average income is far below the new monthly subscription price.

Nigerians, particularly those in the middle class, are increasingly being pushed into tough choices. Many may have to decide between paying for basic services like internet access or cutting back on essentials such as healthcare or education. These tough decisions are becoming more commonplace as the nation struggles to recover from the impact of the pandemic and the rising global cost of living.

Experts have expressed concern over the cascading effects of such price increases, which they argue could deepen inequality in the country. While those in more affluent sectors may adapt to the new pricing, for millions of Nigerians, such hikes could price them out of access to essential services, perpetuating the cycle of poverty and limiting economic opportunities for a large portion of the population.

“Inflation is exacerbating social inequalities, disproportionately affecting the poorest Nigerians, and widening the gap between the rich and the poor. For low-income families, rising prices for basic necessities such as food, housing, and transportation are increasingly burdensome. In contrast, wealthier segments of society, who spend a smaller proportion of their income on basic necessities, experience a muted impact from food inflation, Oluwatobi Ojabello, a senior economic analyst at BusinessDay, says.

Industry observers suggest that without significant intervention, the inflationary pressures that are leading to such price hikes will continue to affect all industries, from telecommunications to food production, leaving consumers to cope with the consequences.

The central question, however, is how long businesses can absorb these costs before they too are forced to pass them on to already struggling consumers.

“I think that the central bank needs to continue to be focused on making sure that inflation is under control,” Sameer Mata, senior economist for Nigeria at World Bank Group, said at the recent launch of the 2025 macroeconomic outlook of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG). Obviously, part of it is related to the supply side. What can be done to improve the yield on the agricultural side? What can be done to improve the link between rural and urban areas?

“There is the question of what can be done on the trade policy side. One would be to increase production locally, but that would take time.

For now, it seems that the challenges of inflation, currency devaluation, and rising costs are far from over. As Starlink’s price hike proves, no sector is immune from the pressures of Nigeria’s economic downturn. Whether the average Nigerian will continue to pay for premium services like satellite internet remains uncertain, but what is clear is that the financial strain is becoming unbearable for many.

As the nation faces these economic trials, the need for comprehensive, sustainable solutions becomes ever more urgent. Until then, Nigerians may have no choice but to continue adapting to an environment that is increasingly challenging to navigate.