Starlink has restored access to its Business (Priority) subscription plan in Nigeria’s most congested cities, offering relief to customers in Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt who have faced months of “Sold Out” notices.
The reopening, which began on February 14, 2026, does not introduce a new product but reinstates a previously suspended tier that had been paused alongside residential subscriptions as congestion intensified in high-demand urban areas.
The Business plan comes at a significantly higher cost than residential service. Subscribers pay ₦159,000 ($99.38) per month, excluding hardware expenses that can exceed ₦4 million ($2,500).
In neighbourhoods such as Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Lekki and Surulere in Lagos, as well as parts of Abuja, new residential orders remain blocked. Prospective users are either directed to upgrade to the Priority plan or place a deposit to join a waitlist without a clear activation timeline.
A review of multiple Lagos locations on Starlink’s website shows a consistent message informing customers that only Priority plans are currently available due to high demand.
The move comes as competition intensifies in Nigeria’s satellite broadband market. In January 2026, Amazon secured a landing permit to operate in Nigeria for its satellite internet initiative, Project Kuiper. By reopening its higher-priced tier in major cities, Starlink maintains a presence in key commercial hubs while converting pent-up demand into revenue.
Starlink’s congestion challenges in Nigeria and Kenya have been building since late 2024. After reaching capacity in major cities, the company became involved in a pricing dispute with the Nigerian Communications Commission over proposed fee increases that lacked final regulatory approval. The disagreement contributed to an eight-month nationwide freeze on new residential orders between November 2024 and June 2025.
Although residential subscriptions resumed in 2025 at a moderated ₦57,000 ($36) monthly rate, demand in dense urban areas has continued to outstrip available capacity. Since September 2025, several neighbourhoods in Lagos and Abuja have remained effectively closed to new home users.
The Business plan offers 1TB or 2TB of Priority Data each month, after which speeds may be deprioritised though usage remains unlimited. Hardware costs vary, with a standard kit priced at about ₦590,000 ($369). Business users are advised to purchase the Flat High Performance dish, which ranges from roughly ₦3.15 million ($1,969) to ₦4.1 million ($2,563) and is designed to deliver more stable performance in demanding conditions. Subscribers also receive priority technical support and a publicly routable IPv4 address, important for businesses operating servers and secure networks.
Starlink is owned by SpaceX, which has accelerated satellite deployment globally. As of February 24, 2026, SpaceX had completed 18 Starlink missions this year, launching approximately 428 satellites. The active Starlink constellation now exceeds 9,700 satellites, with some recent launches including Direct-to-Cell satellites intended to connect directly to smartphones.
