Starlink Halts New Subscriptions in Lagos & Abuja Amid Network Overload

Satellite internet provider Starlink has suspended new residential subscriptions in several high-demand areas of Nigeria’s major cities due to network saturation. Key districts in Lagos, such as Victoria Island, Ikoyi, Lagos Island, and Surulere, along with parts of Abuja, are now listed as “sold out” on Starlink’s website, signalling that the network has reached its capacity limit in these regions.

According to Tech Economy, residents in affected areas face a waitlist system to join Starlink’s service. To secure a spot, prospective users must pay a deposit and await notification when additional network capacity becomes available. For instance, at Chevyville Estate in Lekki, a subscription attempt yields the message: “Starlink’s service is currently at full capacity in your area. You can reserve your spot by placing a deposit now, and you will be notified when service resumes.”

This is not the first time Nigerians have encountered delays in accessing Starlink. In November 2024, the company paused new orders nationwide for nearly eight months, citing insufficient bandwidth and pending regulatory approvals from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) regarding proposed price hikes. Services resumed in late June 2025 after infrastructure enhancements and regulatory clearance.

A Starlink engineer, speaking anonymously due to a lack of authorisation, explained that such pauses are strategic to maintaining service reliability: “When a region hits its capacity limit, we halt new subscriptions to ensure existing users experience uninterrupted connectivity.” To resolve congestion, Starlink may need to deploy additional satellites or secure further regulatory approvals to expand capacity.

Meanwhile, Starlink’s pricing in Nigeria has surged since its market entry. The monthly subscription, initially set at ₦38,000 ($25.33), rose to ₦45,000 ($30) and later to approximately ₦56,000 ($37) in 2025. The company attributed these increases to the naira’s ongoing devaluation, rising operational costs, and adherence to NCC regulations.

These price hikes triggered significant pushback from customers, leading to temporary regulatory restrictions that delayed new activations until mid-2025. The fallout was evident in subscriber numbers. According to NCC data, Starlink’s active users dropped from 65,564 in Q4 2024 to 59,509 in Q1 2025, a decline of over 6,000 subscribers, or roughly 9%. Analysts attribute the drop to the steep tariff and hardware cost increases, Nigeria’s economic challenges, and service interruptions during the order pause. Many users either switched to more affordable providers or abandoned the service altogether.

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In Nigeria, Starlink’s rapid rise as a reliable internet provider has been a game-changer, particularly in urban centres like Lagos and Abuja, where traditional broadband infrastructure often struggles with reliability and speed. However, the recent suspension of new subscriptions due to network congestion and rising costs could ripple across Nigeria’s burgeoning tourism sector, with potential implications for Africa’s broader tourism industry.

Nigeria’s tourism sector, though still developing, relies heavily on digital connectivity to attract and serve visitors. From online booking platforms to real-time navigation and social media marketing, high-speed internet is critical for hotels, tour operators, and travel startups. Starlink’s entry in 2023 offered a lifeline, especially in areas with poor terrestrial networks, enabling businesses to provide seamless services to tourists. 

However, the current network congestion and subscription pauses in key urban hubs, such as Lagos and Abuja, major entry points for international visitors, could disrupt operations for tourism businesses. Hotels and travel agencies in these areas may struggle to maintain online services, potentially deterring tech-savvy travellers who expect reliable connectivity. Moreover, the price hikes make Starlink less accessible to small-scale tourism operators, forcing them to rely on inconsistent local providers or pass the costs on to customers, which could harm their competitiveness.

Across Africa, Starlink has been hailed as a transformative force for connectivity in remote and underserved regions, including tourist destinations such as safari lodges in East Africa and eco-resorts in West Africa. Reliable internet enhances the appeal of such destinations by enabling real-time communication, online reviews, and virtual tours. 

However, Nigeria’s issues with network congestion and rising costs indicate potential challenges for other African markets as Starlink expands. If similar capacity issues arise in tourism-heavy countries like Kenya, South Africa, or Ghana, it could hinder the ability of businesses to cater to international visitors, particularly in remote areas where Starlink is often the only viable option. A slowdown in connectivity improvements could also discourage digital nomads and remote workers, a growing segment of Africa’s tourism market, who rely on stable internet.

For Nigeria specifically, unreliable internet could tarnish its image as a destination for business and leisure travellers. Lagos, a hub for conferences and cultural festivals, risks losing its edge if connectivity issues persist. Across Africa, the promise of satellite internet to bridge digital divides is critical for tourism growth. Still, recurring congestion or affordability barriers could delay these benefits, impacting job creation and foreign exchange earnings.

To mitigate these challenges, Starlink and local regulators must prioritise infrastructure expansion and transparent pricing. Partnerships with tourism boards to subsidise connectivity for key destinations could also ensure that Africa’s tourism sector remains competitive in a digitally driven global market.

 

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FAQs

1. Why has Starlink paused new subscriptions in Lagos and Abuja?

Starlink has halted new subscriptions in parts of Lagos and Abuja because its network has reached full capacity in these areas. This pause ensures existing users maintain reliable service while the company works to expand capacity.

2. How can residents in affected areas join Starlink’s service?

Residents in congested areas must join a waitlist by paying a deposit. They will be notified when additional network capacity becomes available to activate their subscription.

3. What caused the recent Starlink price hikes in Nigeria?

The price increases, from ₦38,000 to ₦56,000 monthly, stem from the naira’s devaluation, higher operational expenses, and compliance with Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) regulations.

4. How has Starlink’s subscriber base in Nigeria been affected?

Starlink lost over 6,000 subscribers in Q1 2025, dropping from 65,564 to 59,509, due to price hikes, economic challenges, and service pauses, according to NCC data.

5. What are the implications of Starlink’s network issues for Nigeria’s tourism sector?

Network congestion and rising costs could disrupt online services for tourism businesses in Lagos and Abuja, potentially deterring visitors and harming Nigeria’s competitiveness as a travel destination.