Starlink Unveils Premium Business Priority Plan in Nigerian Cities
Elon Musk's satellite internet provider, Starlink, has rolled out a new high-cost Business Priority service in Nigeria's most populous urban centers, including Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt. This premium offering, priced at N159,000 per month (approximately $99), provides immediate access for businesses and affluent customers, while residential users continue to face extended waitlists and subscription unavailability.
Residential Users Locked Out in High-Demand Areas
Since February 14, 2026, Starlink has made its Business Priority tier available in response to persistent "Sold Out" notices that have blocked new residential sign-ups for months. In prime Lagos districts such as Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Lekki, and Surulere, residential subscriptions remain completely unavailable. Prospective home users are being redirected to waitlists, often required to pay deposits without any guaranteed installation timeline.
What the Priority Plan Includes
The Priority tier offers either 1TB or 2TB of high-priority data monthly before users may experience potential slowdowns during network congestion. While total data usage remains technically unlimited, speeds could be reduced after priority thresholds during peak periods. Subscribers also receive enhanced customer support and a public IPv4 address, which is particularly valuable for businesses operating servers, virtual private networks, or remote surveillance systems.
Hardware costs present an additional barrier to entry. Standard kits cost around N590,000, while business customers are encouraged to opt for the more durable Flat High Performance dish, priced between N3.15 million and N4.1 million. This premium hardware is engineered to withstand heavy rainfall and maintain stability in densely populated urban environments.
Capacity Constraints and Regulatory Challenges
Nigeria's internet bottleneck began in late 2024 as demand surged beyond available ground infrastructure and spectrum capacity. A pricing dispute with the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) halted new residential orders nationwide for eight months, from November 2024 through June 2025. Even after sales resumed at N57,000 for residential service, demand in Lagos and Abuja continued to overwhelm supply, with several dense urban areas remaining closed to new home users since September 2025.
Although satellite launches continue at a rapid pace, ground stations, gateway infrastructure, and regulatory processes still limit how much bandwidth can reach customers in crowded cities. For many residents in Lagos and Abuja, reliable high-speed internet remains frustratingly out of reach.
Rising Competition in the Satellite Internet Market
The timing of Starlink's premium pricing rollout coincides with increasing competition in Nigeria's satellite internet sector. Amazon's Project Kuiper secured landing rights in Nigeria in January 2026, positioning itself as a future challenger in Africa's largest market. By focusing on premium customers in saturated urban zones, Starlink appears to be protecting revenue streams while working to expand capacity. Retaining business clients may prove critical as rival satellite operators prepare to enter the field.
How Nigeria Compares Across Africa
Across the African continent, Starlink's residential pricing varies significantly. In Kenya, a Residential Lite package begins around $10 for 50GB capped data, while unlimited plans typically range between $28 and $38. Countries such as Mozambique, Ghana, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe often fall within the $28 to $34 range for basic unlimited service. In Nigeria, when residential slots are available outside congested areas, monthly rates hover between $35 and $40 following earlier adjustments. Against this backdrop, the N159,000 Priority fee marks a substantial premium that places the service firmly in the luxury bracket.
NCC Expands Licensing to Foster Competition
The Nigerian Communications Commission has granted operating licences to six new Internet Service Providers, a move aimed at expanding competition in Nigeria's increasingly contested broadband market. According to data from the NCC's updated licensing database, the approvals took effect from January 1, 2026, raising the total number of authorised ISPs in the country to 231, up from 225 recorded in December 2025. The newly licensed companies include Intellvision Technologies Limited, Granet Technologies Limited, Fiber Sonic Limited, Dasol Solution Services Limited, Boost ISP Limited, and Amazon Kuiper Nigeria Limited.
Starlink's premium strategy may secure its foothold in Nigeria's urban centers for now, but broader relief for residential users will depend on how quickly expanded orbital capacity translates into real-world connectivity on the ground. The network currently operates in approximately 26 African countries, including early markets such as Nigeria, Kenya, Mozambique, and Rwanda, with more recent expansions into Ghana, Zimbabwe, Senegal, and Liberia. South Africa remains pending due to regulatory ownership requirements.
