Starlink, the internet service company backed by Elon Musk, has announced a significant reduction in the price of its hardware in Nigeria. The Starlink internet router, previously priced at N800,000, has now been slashed to N440,000, marking a 45% decrease.
This price adjustment comes amidst recent fluctuations in the value of the Nigerian naira against the US dollar and other foreign currencies. While the monthly subscription fee remains unchanged at N38,000, the hardware price reduction aims to make Starlink's satellite-based internet service more accessible to Nigerian consumers.
Starlink's decision to cut hardware prices is not exclusive to Nigeria, as similar reductions have been observed in South Africa. Despite not being licensed in South Africa, Starlink's service is being accessed locally through global or regional roaming subscriptions.
The company's advertisement on X earlier this week revealed a 43% decrease in hardware prices, from ZAR 12,000 to ZAR 6,800. This move highlights Starlink's efforts to expand its market reach and competitiveness in Africa.
Despite its relatively higher costs compared to local Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Starlink has garnered significant interest among Nigerians since its introduction in January 2023.
The company's satellite-based service appeals to consumers in areas with poor internet infrastructure and has become one of the leading ISPs in Nigeria in terms of customer numbers, with over 11,000 subscribers as of Q3 2023. This surge in popularity underscores the growing demand for reliable and high-speed internet connectivity
