You’ve heard that Starlink can solve your slow internet problems. But do you know how to get your hands on it? This blog will show you how to order and pay for a Starlink subscription in Nigeria.
Starlink is one of Elon Musk’s pet projects under SpaceX. It’s the latest solution to internet scarcity problems in certain parts of the world, specifically rural areas. After Elon Musk announced on Twitter that Starlink will be available in Nigeria, Nigerians have been craning their necks and stretching their hands out to get Starlink kits. Although pricey, many remote workers and organisations have snagged one. We’ll see how they were able to do that in a bit. First, a little overview of what Starlink is.
What is Starlink?
Starlink is a satellite constellation that provides internet access through Low Earth Orbital (LEO). It’s the first internet service provider of its kind. Starlink is different from other ISPs in speed and design. While others have one satellite orbiting the earth at a farther distance (35,786km), Starlink orbits the earth at a close distance of 550 km. The result is better internet speed.
Why Starlink is a Better Choice than Other ISPs
Nigeria’s major mobile service providers are MTN, Airtel, 9Mobile, and GLO. These operators also provide internet services, and most Nigerians use their services. In addition to these mobile operators, there are other internet service providers such as Spectranet and Smile. However, the narrative remains that internet speed is low, and sometimes, access is completely severed when there is a server shutdown or glitch.
Starlink promises advancements in healthcare, banking and financial services, agriculture, and overall productivity in areas lacking internet access. How?
With Starlink, healthcare providers and seekers have better chances of giving and accessing healthcare. Online education will also improve as better internet access makes it easier to access educational materials, join online classes and participate in online exams without network hitches.
It brings speed and consistency, a higher quality connection to the table. It’ll reduce the time people spend at banks or online waiting for their transactions to be processed.
How to Order Starlink & Pay for Subscription in Nigeria
Before you order Starlink, it is important to take some time to look at the different Starlink service plans. There are two major plans – Standard and Mobile. Under Mobile, you can choose either the regional or plan.
Here are the steps to order and pay for Starlink subscriptions in Nigeria.
- Visit the Starlink website and create an account. You will find the Sign-up button at the bottom right corner of the page.
- Place an order by tapping the Order Now button on the homepage. As soon as you initiate the process, you’ll need to specify the number of Starlink packages you want to buy and your shipping address.
- Make the payment. The website will open up a payment page where you’ll enter your payment details. Enter your debit or credit card details to pay and complete the order process.
- Wait to receive your Starlink package. The company will send you an email detailing your order tracking information and the estimated waiting time.
- Your order will be delivered, and the package will include the satellite dish, the modem and the mounting kit.
Keypoint: Starlink kits are available in retail stores in Nigeria. You can buy them here and then order the service online. After the company delivers the service to you (via an installation code), you can set up your kit and begin to enjoy the service.
How to Pay for Starlink Subscription in Nigeria.
Usually, you can pay for the Starlink service with most credit or debit cards. However, a ban on Nigerian debit cards prevents Nigerians from using them to make international payments. So what are your options? Here they are.
- Use a dollar card.
- Use a gift card.
Using a Dollar card
Dollar cards are debit cards provided by financial institutions to enable subscribers/users to make international payments in dollars from Nigeria. They became popular after the Central Bank of Nigeria capped the payment limit of regular Nigerian bank account debit cards. Currently, these cards hardly work for any amount at all. Hence the need for a dollar card. Examples are the ALAT card by Wema Bank and Chippercash’s dollar card.
Using a Gift Card
Gift cards are preloaded debit cards used to pay for products and services from various stores worldwide. Some gift cards are open-loop cards, meaning they do not belong to just one particular merchant. With gift cards like this, you can pay for Starlink subscriptions. Examples are Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. All you have to do is enter the gift card details like a regular credit or debit card. You can buy these gift cards on Prestmit in a few simple steps. Download the app and sign up for an account to start.
Conclusion
Starlink is an internet service provider under SpaceX, the spacecraft company owned by Elon Musk. It’s a huge sensation in Nigeria because it was designed to provide ultra-fast internet access to users in rural areas in select parts of the world. Starlink is available in Nigeria, and you can order one for personal or corporate use. The order process is relatively easy. The only challenge is the payment process. Due to the ban on Nigerian bank account debit cards, it’s difficult and border-impossible to make international payments. But this blog tackles how to order and pay for Starlink in Nigeria. With a dollar card or gift card, you can order and pay for your Starlink service in minutes. You can quickly get a gift card from Prestmit in 5 minutes. Download the app to get started.
