Starlink, the satellite internet provider owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, has resumed new customer activations in Nigeria, following an expansion of its network capacity and a regulatory pause that halted residential orders late last year.
Recall that the internet firm with over 60,000 subscribers suspended new orders for its residential internet kits across Africa’s most populous nation in November 2024. Customers attempting to make purchases on the company’s website were informed that activations were on hold pending regulatory approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission.
The term “activation” refers to the process through which customers order, receive, and install Starlink’s satellite hardware, typically a dish, and then connect to the company’s satellite network to begin using internet service. The suspension meant new users were unable to complete this onboarding process.
Following infrastructure upgrades, Starlink has now resumed activations and expanded its bandwidth capacity to serve more users, particularly in high-demand zones.
“This is a significant stride towards bridging the digital divide and revolutionising connectivity across the nation,” Nigeria’s third biggest internet service provider stated in an email to Saturday PUNCH.
“The internet service provider has officially resumed activations for customers nationwide, with Lagos, Abuja, and other high-demand regions at the forefront of this exciting revival,” it added.
The operator noted that it expects the upgraded infrastructure to unlock unprecedented speeds and improve connection stability for both homes and businesses across the country, especially in underserved and previously congested areas.
Reacting to the announcement, Konga, Starlink’s largest authorised retail partner in Nigeria, said it was excited about the development and reaffirmed its commitment to seamless customer access.
“To make the process even easier for Nigerians, we’re offering free nationwide delivery,” one of the country’s e-commerce giants said.
“Whether customers order online or walk into any of our retail outlets in cities like Asaba, Port Harcourt, Ikeja, Uyo, Owerri, Ibadan, FCT, Warri, Kano, Enugu, or Onitsha, their Starlink kits will be delivered at no extra cost.”
The companies said the resumption of activations is a game-changer for many Nigerians who have been waiting to access Starlink’s services since it became available in the country.
The move is also seen as a boost for digital inclusion and connectivity, particularly in regions where traditional broadband infrastructure remains limited or unreliable.
With the growing demand for robust internet connectivity driven by remote work, online education, and digital services, Starlink’s expanded bandwidth promises to deliver the performance users expect.