Elon Musk says Starlink has been approved in Nigeria and Mozambique

Elon Musk revealed in a tweet on Friday that Starlink, his space exploration company’s satellite internet service, has been licensed in Nigeria and Mozambique.

This announcement comes three days after Musk responded to a tweet regarding the service’s debut in Africa.

“Yes, first African countries to be named soon,” he tweeted. “Everywhere on Earth where we’re legally allowed to service, Starlink will be available.”

Starlink operates in more than 30 countries where it is legally permitted to provide internet services, in other words, where it has the necessary licenses.

It has been planned to launch throughout Africa, mainly in Nigeria, since 2021. Last May, SpaceX sent representatives to Nigeria’s telecommunications regulator, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), to discuss the potential of obtaining a license to operate Starlink in the country.

The NCC has accepted this license, according to local press reports, Nairametrics, confirming Musk’s tweet today. The license Starlink Internet Services Nigeria Ltd. (its trading name) obtained falls under the Internet Service Provider (ISP) category — other service providers such as telcos and private operators also fall under this category — and will be valid for ten years beginning in May 2022, according to the publication.

Starlink provides much-needed competition to Nigerian telecom carriers MTN and Airtel, which have been forced to compete against one other without upgrading their internet service.

However, there is one disadvantage to Starlink: it is costly. Starlink’s price is expensive for the ordinary Nigerian — and Mozambique user — at $110 (60,500) for preorder — also its monthly charge — and $599 (330,000) for a full kit, which includes a terminal, mounting tripod, and Wi-Fi router. The whole kit costs around $2,500 (1.375 million) and $500 (275,000) per month for its premium service.