Satellite internet provider Starlink, owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, has temporarily suspended new customer sign-ups in parts of Lagos and Abuja due to network congestion. The company confirmed that the decision was necessary to stabilize service quality for existing users, as demand in Nigeria’s urban centers has outpaced current satellite capacity.
Starlink entered Nigeria in early 2023 as the first African country to access its low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet service, promising high-speed connectivity even in remote areas. The service was quickly embraced, especially in cities where unreliable broadband and patchy fiber networks have long frustrated users. However, the surge in subscriptions across Nigeria’s commercial and administrative hubs has now stretched the available bandwidth.
Industry watchers note that the suspension of new orders underscores both Starlink’s rapid growth and the challenge of scaling satellite-based internet in high-density markets. While the company has deployed over 6,000 satellites globally, managing congestion in hotspots requires continuous launches and ground station expansions, which are capital-intensive. For Nigeria, where more than 60% of the population still lacks reliable internet, the pause highlights the fragility of overreliance on a single solution.
Businesses, remote workers, and tech startups who had looked to Starlink as an alternative to unstable local ISPs may face longer waiting times for access. Experts argue that Nigeria must not only encourage satellite broadband but also invest in terrestrial infrastructure, fiber optic expansion, and spectrum efficiency to meet soaring demand. Without this balance, the country risks a digital bottleneck that could slow innovation, particularly in fintech, e-commerce, and digital services that depend on seamless connectivity.
Globally, Starlink has faced similar congestion in parts of the United States, Canada, and Europe, where it had to limit sign-ups until new satellites were launched. The Nigerian experience therefore mirrors a broader operational challenge for the company, even as it continues to lead the LEO satellite race. With planned expansions and upcoming satellite launches, Starlink may ease congestion in the coming months, but for now, would-be subscribers in Lagos and Abuja will have to wait.
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