Elon Musk’s SpaceX is set to launch a low-cost mini starlink dish in Nigeria.
This has raised many concerns as the development is already being considered a big competition for some of Nigeria’s biggest Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and mobile internet providers including MTN, Airtel and Glo amongst others.
The inventive device, scheduled to be released soon by SpaceX, is designed to give individuals in rural areas access to satellite-based internet service as they are equally expected to gain from the device’s ease and flexibility as it is designed to fit easily in a backpack.
This comes on the hills of TD Africa’s latest partnership with Elon Musk’s Starlink to bring Starlink Mini Dish to the Nigerian market at a relatively affordable price.
The new gadget which weighs only 2.4 pounds (or 3.4 pounds when the kickstand and DC cord are included) and measures only 11.4 inches by 9.8 inches as against the already existing 23.4-inch by 15.07-inch Starlink dish, promises several other captivating features such as its lightweight and simple to assemble nature amongst others.
In a statement, TD Africa, while announcing the partnership, said the collaboration aims to democratize internet access and provide high-speed connectivity to even the most remote areas while describing the Starlink constellation project as a game-changer in the realm of global internet connectivity.
TD Africa was the first to bring Starlink’s satellite internet services to Africa and particularly the Nigerian market, which is also the first African country to have access to the tech giant’s stellar innovation.
On the other hand, TD Africa is often considered the biggest technology product distributor in Africa while receiving applause for introducing into the Nigerian market, a product that has captured the public’s interest with its ubiquitous satellite service.
According to the company, “the launch of the Starlink Mini signifies a significant step forward in democratizing internet access. Whether you reside in a remote location, crave internet on the go, or simply yearn for a more affordable and reliable internet solution, the Starlink Mini is here to bridge the gap. With TD Africa and Konga at the helm, a brighter and more connected future awaits Nigerians.”
It added that the device would be offered on Konga.com at the best prices.
TD Africa said, “Rest assured, the mini delivers impressive performance. Based on a speed test screenshot shared by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, the Starlink Mini offers a robust 100 Mbps download speed and a respectable 11.5 Mbps upload speed with a latency of 23 ms.
“These capabilities are more than enough to power multiple 4K video streams, video calls, seamless voice chats, and speedy file downloads. Users can expect a seamless and high-quality internet experience, regardless of location,” it highlighted.
In another story, Elon Musk’s internet company, Starlink emerged as Nigeria’s third-largest ISP with 23,897 subscribers in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2023.
According to the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, who disclosed the data in May, Starlink’s active customers in Nigeria surged 113 per cent in Q4 2023, from 11,207 customers in the previous quarter, establishing it as one of the leading ISPs in the country.
Meanwhile, Spectranet, one of the oldest ISPs in the country, maintained its top position in the market with 113,869 active customers while FiberOne followed in second place with 27,000 active users at the end of 2023.
Starlink launched its services in Nigeria in January 2023, becoming the first African country to receive the service, more than 20 months after SpaceX met with the NCC to outline their deployment plans.
Eight months after its debut, in September 2023, Starlink had amassed about 11,207 active users in Nigeria, ranking it as the fourth biggest ISP in the nation.
In October 2023, Starlink Nigeria reduced the price of its starter kit by 21%, from N378,000 ($378) to N299,500 ($299), in an effort to increase adoption.
