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Starlink, the satellite broadband service operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, has officially resumed new customer activations in Nigeria, marking a significant development in the country’s internet connectivity landscape. The move comes after a regulatory pause and subsequent expansion of the company’s network capacity to accommodate growing demand.
In November 2024, Starlink suspended new residential kit orders in Nigeria, citing the need for regulatory approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). Prospective users attempting to register were met with a notice stating that activations were temporarily on hold.
The suspension applied to the activation process—whereby users purchase, install, and connect the satellite dish hardware to access Starlink’s low-Earth orbit network. This pause effectively prevented new customers from joining the platform during the interim period.
Now, following infrastructure upgrades and expanded bandwidth capabilities, Starlink has restarted activations nationwide, with particular focus on high-demand areas such as Lagos, Abuja, and other urban hubs.
“This marks a major step toward bridging Nigeria’s digital divide and transforming access to high-speed internet across the country,” said Starlink in a statement issued via email to Saturday PUNCH.
According to the company, the new infrastructure rollout is expected to significantly enhance user experience, with improved speed, capacity, and service reliability—particularly for customers in underserved and previously congested areas.
Konga, Starlink’s largest authorised retail partner in Nigeria, also welcomed the development, noting that it is now facilitating free nationwide delivery of Starlink kits.
“Whether customers order online or walk into our stores in cities like Lagos, Port Harcourt, Ibadan, Enugu, and Kano, their kits will be delivered at no extra cost,” the e-commerce platform stated.
Industry analysts view the resumption of Starlink activations as a catalyst for greater digital inclusion, especially in regions where terrestrial broadband infrastructure is limited or absent.
With rising demand for reliable internet—fueled by remote work, online learning, and digital services—Starlink’s expanded capacity offers new opportunities to close connectivity gaps across Nigeria. As one of the country’s top three internet providers by user count, its return to full onboarding mode is expected to further intensify competition in the broadband market.
The resumption also reflects ongoing engagement between Starlink and Nigerian regulators, underscoring the importance of compliance in the fast-evolving telecoms and space-based internet sectors.
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