The satellite internet provider owned by billionaire Elon Musk, Starlink, has “temporarily” suspended a recent price hike in its monthly subscription fees in Nigeria, citing “regulatory challenges.”
This decision was communicated to subscribers on Thursday night, as the company assured that customers who had already paid the increased rate would receive a refund.
Earlier in October, Starlink announced a hike in its monthly fees in Nigeria, attributing the change to the country’s “excessive levels of inflation.”
The price for Starlink’s standard residential plan was raised from N38,000 to N75,000 per month.
However, this sudden increase caught the attention of Nigeria’s regulatory body, the Nigerian Communications Commission, which warned that the price adjustment lacked necessary regulatory approval.
Though the NCC initially threatened sanctions, it later rescinded the warning.
In Thursday’s update, Starlink informed subscribers that it was reverting to its original pricing of N38,000 per month for the standard residential plan, stating, “Today, we are temporarily suspending this price increase as we navigate regulatory challenges.”
Subscribers who were charged the higher amount will receive a one-time credit to cover the difference, and the company reminded users they could cancel their service at any time if needed.
Starlink also emphasized the necessity of regulatory cooperation, warning that the ISP’s capacity to continue providing service in Nigeria could be at risk without it.
In its message, the company reiterated, “We remain committed to providing high-speed Internet in Nigeria, but we need regulatory support to make the improvements necessary for a better customer experience.”
A review of Starlink’s website late Thursday night confirmed the price had reverted to N38,000, signaling the company’s commitment to adapting its service to Nigeria’s regulatory environment.
