Starlink resumes internet services in Lagos, other African countries after service suspension

Business Insider

4 hours ago

Starlink has resumed internet service sign-ups in Lagos and several other African countries after a multi-month pause prompted by overwhelming demand and network congestion
Starlink has resumed new subscriber sign-ups in Nigeria and other African nations after a suspension caused by high demand and network limitations.
Starlink users in cities such as Lagos, Abuja, and Nairobi were particularly affected, emphasizing the need for reliable digital services in the region.
Following upgrades to its satellite network, Starlink has recommenced services in key urban and rural areas across Africa.
After several months suspension, Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by Elon Musk's SpaceX, has resumed activating new subscribers in Nigeria and several other African countries, providing a much-needed boost in addressing the continent's digital shortcomings..
Recall that in November 2024, Starlink temporarily halted new orders in Nigeria due to capacity constraints and pending regulatory approval from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).
The suspension, according to reports, affected over 60,000 existing subscribers, who received notifications of pending approval for their activations.
Over 100,000 Africans Affected
In total, the temporary halt affected over 100,000 users across Africa, particularly major urban areas like Warri, Kiambu, Lagos, Abuja, Lusaka, Kano, Port Harcourt, Nairobi, and Accra, with "sold-out" notifications appearing in these cities as existing service infrastructure struggled to meet surging demand.
The pause came at a time when African users, particularly in underserved rural and urban-fringe areas, had turned to Starlink as a reliable internet alternative due to the unreliability of terrestrial broadband.
Starlink acknowledged the issue, stating, 'Too many users are trying to access the Starlink service, and there isn't enough bandwidth to support additional customers. '
However, following recent upgrades to its network infrastructure, the satellite network provider has resumed services in major Nigerian cities.
' This marks a significant step toward bridging the digital divide and transforming connectivity across the country, ' the internet service provider told The Punch. ' We have officially resumed activations for customers nationwide, with Lagos, Abuja, and other high-demand regions leading this exciting revival.'
Beyond Nigeria, reports confirm Starlink has lifted residential subscription restrictions in major cities across Kenya, Ghana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Reacting to the new development, Konga, Starlink's largest retail partner in Nigeria, welcomed the move and announced free nationwide delivery for all Nigerian customers.
' 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 company said.
Starlink's gradual return is seen as a major boost for digital access across Africa, especially in areas where traditional broadband r emains unreliable. With rising demand for the internet due to remote work, e-learning, and online services, the expanded access promises faster and more.