Emma Okonji: In a recent development, Starlink, the global internet provider owned by billionaire Elon Musk, has decided to reverse its earlier price increase for internet services in Nigeria. Can you share the motivation behind this decision?
Starlink: Our initial price hike was a response to inflationary pressures, which we felt compelled to address in order to maintain our operations and deliver reliable service. However, we’ve received significant feedback from our customers in Nigeria expressing their concerns.
Emma Okonji: The feedback from customers indicated that the price increase was seen as an additional burden, especially amidst rising inflation. How did this feedback influence your decision?
Starlink: Absolutely, the widespread criticism helped us reassess our approach. As a result, we’ve temporarily suspended the price increase while we navigate some regulatory challenges.
Emma Okonji: In your statement, you mentioned that customers who were charged the higher price will receive a refund. Could you elaborate on that?
Starlink: Yes, for those affected by the increased rate, a one-time credit will be applied to their accounts to cover the difference. We want to ensure that our users feel supported during this transition.
Emma Okonji: Many Nigerians have welcomed this reversal. How do you see this impacting their access to your high-speed internet services?
Starlink: We believe this decision will make our high-speed internet services more accessible to Nigerians at a reasonable cost, which is ultimately our goal. We remain committed to supporting our users in Nigeria.
