Starlink, the satellite internet service owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, has officially resumed new customer activations across Nigeria, following a months-long suspension triggered by regulatory concerns and network capacity limitations.
The development marks a major breakthrough for thousands of Nigerians who have eagerly awaited access to the company’s high-speed satellite internet.
According to Punch News, the suspension, which began in November 2024, had temporarily halted new residential orders after the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) requested a pause pending regulatory clearance.
Starlink, which currently serves over 60,000 subscribers in Nigeria, had cited capacity constraints and licensing procedures as reasons for the suspension.
During the pause, potential customers attempting to order Starlink’s satellite internet kits on the company’s website were met with notifications indicating that activations were unavailable at the time.
“Activation” refers to the process through which new users purchase, receive, and set up the satellite dish and associated hardware, enabling them to access Starlink’s global satellite network.
With recent infrastructure upgrades and network expansion, the company has now resumed activations and significantly increased bandwidth capacity, allowing for broader service coverage, especially in high-demand urban centers like Lagos and Abuja.
“This is a significant stride towards bridging the digital divide and revolutionising connectivity across the nation,” said a spokesperson for the company, which is now Nigeria’s third-largest internet service provider.
The upgraded infrastructure is expected to unlock faster internet speeds and more stable connections, particularly in underserved and previously congested areas.
Konga, Starlink’s largest authorised retail partner in Nigeria, expressed enthusiasm about the relaunch, announcing that customers can now access the service both online and in-store, with free nationwide delivery.
“To make the process even easier for Nigerians, we’re offering free nationwide delivery,” Konga stated.
“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 resumption of activations is widely seen as a transformative move for Nigeria’s internet landscape, where large segments of the population still lack reliable broadband access.
Industry experts say the return of Starlink will boost digital inclusion and support key sectors such as remote work, e-learning, telemedicine, and e-commerce.
With increasing demand for fast, stable internet, Starlink’s expanded service rollout could redefine connectivity expectations across Nigeria—bringing the promise of high-speed internet to even the most remote corners of the country.
