‘MTN, Airtel in the mud’, comments as Elon Musk’s Starlink launches in Nigeria

The Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, SpaceX has announced the start of operation of its satellite internet service known as Starlink in Nigeria.

The development was confirmed in a post via SpaceX’s official Twitter account.

According to the company, Nigeria is the first country to receive the services in Africa.

The tweet reads: “Starlink is now available in Nigeria – the first African country to receive service.”

Starlink is now available in Nigeria – the first African country to receive service! → https://t.co/slZbTmZmAt

— SpaceX (@SpaceX) January 30, 2023

Starlink also announced through its website that the services will be available to Nigerian subscribers at a price of N19,260 per month while the hardware would be available for N274,098.

The notification on the website reads: “Starlink is currently available in your region. Customers in your area typically see download speeds of 50-200 Mbps. No contracts, 30 day trial.”

“Shipping times are currently estimated to be 1-2 weeks from order…N19,260/month for service and N274,098 for hardware.”
However, the launch of the satellite internet constellation in Nigeria has sparked mixed reactions on social media.

A Twitter user @blitz11110 tweeted: “Mtn and Airtel in the mud. Starlink is faster, more reliable, more efficient, CHEAPER and UNLIMITED. This is the competition those lazy monopolists need to sit them up. I already have mine purchased.

Mtn and Airtel in the mud.
Starlink is faster, more reliable, more efficient, CHEAPER and UNLIMITED. This is the competition those lazy monopolists need to keep them upright. I already bought mine. pic.twitter.com/3uE03ZpM71

— blitz11110 (@Blitz11110) January 31, 2023

Another user, @Morrisnonye13 tweeted: “SpaceX’s Starlink is now in Nigeria by Elon Musk. In any case, this will crash all these price bills by ISPs. Well done @elonmusk.”

SpaceX’s Starlink is now in Nigeria by Elon Musk,
This will at least crash all these prices by internet providers.
Well done @Elon Musk

— Morris Nonye Rich (@morrisnonye13) January 31, 2023

“I am thrilled that Starlink is now available in Nigeria. The amount of suffering we have suffered with Nigerian internet providers is just insane. It’s either sit up or watch Nigerians move to Starlink.” @kumatorr meant it.

I love that starlink is now available in Nigeria. The amount of suffering we have suffered with Nigerian internet providers is just insane.

It’s either sit up or watch Nigerians move to starlink.

— K (@Kumatorr) January 31, 2023

@Ndy_freke wrote: “With Starlink in Nigeria, our telecommunications companies would have to say goodbye to all their internet subscribers. We don’t see Shege either.

With the Starlink in Nigeria, our telecommunications companies would have to say goodbye to all their internet subscribers. We don’t see Shege either https://t.co/J7G5XJU7D3

— Ndyfreke (@Ndy__freke) January 31, 2023

A Twitter user identified as Zainab_ex complained about the price of the services and appealed to the company’s owner, Elon Mask, to help lower the price as many Nigerians cannot afford to pay such an amount to pay.

She wrote: “268K ???? Damn! Most Nigerians cannot afford this Mr. Elon. You may have to drastically lower your price. Thank you.”

268K???? Damn! Most Nigerians cannot afford this Mr. Elon. You may have to drastically lower your price. Thank you pic.twitter.com/b1jGQvw69o

— 𝐙𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐛 #PeterObi2023 (@Zainab__ex) January 31, 2023

Another user @Cheedalu also complained about the price, tweeting: “Starlink is in Nigeria. I guess I’ll never know how good it is. Because why am I paying 270k for hardware?”
Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX. It was first launched in 2019 and currently provides internet access coverage in 47 countries around the world.

Starlink is in Nigeria. I guess I’ll never know how good it is. Because why am I paying 270k for hardware? 🥹🥹 pic.twitter.com/oBhTXqScSb

— The Antagonist (@Cheedalu) January 31, 2023