Elon Musk’s internet company, Starlink, is expanding its operations in Nigeria by establishing ground stations across key locations in Lagos, Ogun, and Rivers states. These facilities, covering approximately 29,000 acres, are part of Starlink’s strategy to enhance internet connectivity in the country. The ground stations will be situated in Okun Ajah (Lagos State), Sagamu (Ogun State), and Port Harcourt (Rivers State).
Starlink is collaborating with Equinix, a leader in data center solutions, to build these ground stations. Construction has already commenced in Lagos, with completion expected by Q4 2024, while the other locations are projected to be ready by 2025.
These ground stations, also known as gateways, are essential for relaying data between Starlink satellites and the internet backbone on the ground. This infrastructure will allow Starlink to provide more direct and efficient internet service, bypassing the delays associated with routing through international data centers.
Starlink’s move into Nigeria began in 2022 when it acquired an Internet Service Provider (ISP) licence from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), along with other key licenses. The company has quickly become a major player in Nigeria’s telecom sector, ranking as the third-largest ISP by Q1 2024, despite its higher pricing compared to local providers. Starlink’s widespread satellite coverage has attracted many users, especially in areas with poor internet service, challenging long-established local ISPs.
Credit: Nairametrics (Text Excluding Headline)
