The users of Starlink in Nigeria have expressed their dissatisfaction over the usage of the satellite internet service due to several challenges plaguing the service. Barely two months of its operation in the country, some Nigerian customers have taken to their social media accounts to give their reviews of the product, which have mostly been critical. A notable Nigerian tech YouTuber, Fisayo Fosudo, shared on Twitter a screenshot showing a failed attempt to run a routine internet speed check on the service in rainy weather.
Along with the screenshot, Fisayo wrote, “This is a screenshot from last night when it rained. Starlink wouldn’t even run the speed test.” In addition, a Nigerian rising tech content creator, Kagan Tech, shared in one of his recent videos some of his reservations about the satellite internet service. He said, “satellite internet is the real definition of it rains it pours, the minute it gets cloudy and rains a little bit, that internet speed that everybody is so in love with is going to go kaput.” He also added that the internet speed is still horrible when at its best and the sky is completely clear and sunny.
Negative reviews deterred some Nigerians from purchasing the service.
These and many other negative reviews of the product have somehow deterred some Nigerians who had the intention to purchase the satellite internet service to hold back. Some have even disclosed that it makes no sense to pay for a service so expensive, yet it is plagued by occurrences such as rainfall and cloudy weather. The rainy season is approaching and these users are worried that the internet service may get worse and become unbearable for use.
Starlink operates on a satellite internet service technology that has existed for decades. Instead of using cable technology, such as fiber optics in transmitting internet data, the satellite system uses radio signals. Experts have disclosed that this company’s internet service signal weakens during weather conditions like rain and storms because its signals are transmitted via radio waves. These signals travel best through open air but can get deflected and dispersed when it passes through buildings, water, or heavy foliage.
Even the product at its optimal performance, the upload speed is terrible.
In a video, Kagan Tech gives some reasons why it is not advisable to buy satellite internet. At least, not yet. One of them is the price of the product. There is the issue of incorrect pricing on Starlink’s website. The amount written on the website to purchase is not the amount that buyers will have to pay. This is because of the difference between the dollar-to-naira bank rate and the rate at the parallel market, which is quite much. Kagan also mentions that even the product at its optimal performance, the upload speed is terrible.
For a content creator like him, uploading videos to different social media platforms simultaneously with different devices is his domain. So, it does not make economic sense to invest in a product that would not do its job. Furthermore, quality control leaves much to be desired. Kagan claims that the company sent a broken device to one of his friends. Of course, this would not have been an issue if their customer service had been reachable. He claims that the buyer had to void his warranty to get the device fixed.
Lack of certain features and extra payments add to skepticism of others.
First, the device does not have a battery pack option. So, it needs constant power supply to function. This is a big deal in Nigeria where constant power supply is a dream. Starlink users have also complained about the fact that setting up the product in a location means it must be there permanently. If a user wants to move the device to another location, an extra subscription fee has to be paid to be able to move it. This is a practice alien to Nigerians as other local products gives that option with 4G WiFi or 5G router. These and other issues add to the skepticism of potential customers.
Related Link
Starlink: Website
Nigerian users dissatisfied with Starlink – Barely two months of operation, users give mostly negative reviews. – Express your point of view.
Starlink was given a lot of PR till the extent people thought it will actually do well. All to our surprise, it has gone below rating. It is said to be slow in raining season.
This starling network have not been good they need to work on it and improve in various aspects to make it better.
The owners of Starlink have a lot to work on because people do not really like their services for now and they need customers to grow their company.
I will implore the star link company to use this period of complaint to work on areas the need to improve. It’s important they work on stability, render good services get a way to convince their customers. It will convince and keep the company going.
Starlink should concentrate on installing their product in a site, which implies that it must remain there continuously, because we require a connection that is capable of functioning in any context.
We had a lot of hope for this Starlink stuff when it was announced but they are not doing a good job and they should attempt to make their services better.
Barely two months of operation, users give mostly negative. They have to improve their services if they want people to patronize their services.
Star link does not meet up to people expectation just two month of working people are already complaining about it they need to work well and improve where they are lacking
Their customer are complain bad our their service they are not satisfy is better they do the necessary things to improve so people can be enjoying it
I don’t know why this people are complaining about the starlink satellite because I find it outstanding with the speed.
With this people review I think the starlink is just overrated then. Seeing that it’s not performing well at the time it’s raining so a total let down for such called modern technology advancement.
Although have not experienced what these people are saying but the I have to commend the internet speed of the starlink. It’s very fast for me.
With this disappointed comment from Starlink users shows that the product still have to improve more to satisfy the people more even now as we anticipate the raining season.
We need a connection that can function in any environment, so Starlink should prioritise establishing their technology at a location, which means this should stay there permanently.
I believe starlink should do a better job, so as to promote the use of their product because negative review will ruin the sales of the company
Honestly,it is not advisable to use a service that is not commensurable to it price. It is like running at lost.The own of starlink internet should look into this complains and correct them. I believe service can still be improved for better performance.
Nigerians expected too much from starlink, hence the height of disappointment. Most people eventually found out their regular internet service provide they’ve been using before starlink outperforms starlink
Starlink is not doing so poorly; aside the poor service in bad weathers. Nigerians had a giant expectation, so the device not meeting their giant expectation now make them perceive starlink as a waste of investment. However, starlink managements should look into the complaints and work on them.
Complains are already pouring concerning the highly anticipated internet service providers: Starlink internet. It has failed to meet up with expected demands up the people considering the cost of getting it.
Starlink internet has completely failed Nigerian who are expecting fast internet to meet up with their daily cyber activities. I believe the owner of starlink will work in improving it service to meet the demand of the people.
I have a starlink connection and I would rate it 3.5/5. No other provider I’ve used in Nigeria comes close to that rating in my opinion.
The speed is alright. I’ve downloaded files at 2mbps speed while other devices uses the connection and things are stable. There are no reportable downtimes except for when it rains. I don’t live in a very rainy city and I haven’t experienced a downtime over 20mins. It’s not that bad. Having a backup will cover up.