Starlink: Is it the future for Nigerians?
Starlink is now available in Nigeria was the trending news after Elon Musk made an official announcement on January 30, 2023. Nigeria now becomes the first African country to use Starlink. Are you among those curious about Starlink and whether this Musk's satellite is a good Innovation for Nigerians? This article answers your curiosity.
Introduction
Today we live in the world of the internet which has changed so many things and has brought us comfort, entertainment, education, etc. A world without the internet is hard to survive but a greater percentage of the world's population cannot have access to fast internet services. In the past, communication satellites for devices like TV used much higher orbits to transmit signals because they are seated at an altitude relatively far above the earth's surface but Starlink has bridged that gap giving new hope to internet users.
What is Starlink?
Starlink is a satellite mega internet constellation innovation by Elon Musk SpaceX that uses Low Earth Orbit(LEO) to deliver high-speed internet services to areas around the globe experiencing a downside in the network connection.
How Starlink works
Starlink uses satellite internet technology service to send radio signals across space and the information is transmitted to Starlink users on earth at low latency.
Why is Starlink overhyped?
Starlink is overhyped because it can solve high-speed internet problems in rural areas around the globe. Other satellite internet services (geostationary satellites) orbit at an altitude of approximately 35,000km which is far far above the earth's surface, giving a high latency/time for your device to respond to the action given.
Starlink is closer to the earth's surface at approximately 550 km which gives low latency and makes its internet faster than the conventional satellite internet.
Benefits of Starlink
It has numerous benefits over cable or wireless satellites.
- Fast internet speed: It is originally designed at low earth orbit to cover areas where access to the internet has been a major challenge. Its average speed according to an update from a speed test in Lagos is 238mbps against 11.84mbps download, 10.67mbps upload, and 17 ms latency.
Reliable services: Starlink works for any category of users. Many rural conventional internet users pay for the same amount of internet service (data) but receive slower internet. With Starlink, the rural guy paying for the same amount of usage enjoys exactly what the urban guy is enjoying.
Fast disaster recovery: When natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, storms, etc. affect an area, internet service is disrupted and it might take days to arrest the situation. But with Starlink, after the disaster, once the sky is clear, it bounces back to active service.
Easy to set up: You don't need an engineering degree to be able to install it. Once your order is confirmed and it's delivered to you, just set up a space where you can have a clear picture of the sky and mount it.
Starlink setback for Nigerians
Here's what some tweets from Nigerians had to say…
Immobile: Starlink is a stationary hardware device that's not like the wireless network like sim cards that can be carried about easily. It has to be within users' reach. The setup is a plate connected using its cable to a wireless router that your device can connect to for internet access. So, the user has to be within the range of the router's wireless signal.
Power outage: With the inconsistency in our power supply, Nigerians suggested it should come with a reusable battery that can still allow it to work when it's out of the electric current.
Very expensive: An average Nigerian might not be able to afford it because it's too expensive. Nevertheless, a lot of people have seen a future in it and haven't considered this expensive part of it as a setback.
How to order Starlink from Nigeria
It is available now in Nigeria so you can order it from their official website. To place an order, you'll be required to put in your contact information, basically your location for delivery, and your billing information.
An initial service fee of $99 will be required of you to pay then the balance will be paid once it is ready to be shipped.
Payment is by dollar card because of the restriction placed on our naira debit card for international transactions. Users planning to buy Starlink will need to buy dollars from the black market and pay for it at the black market price.
How to setup Starlink
Your Starlink kit comes with the Starlink, wifi router, power supply, cables, and base. Its flat base terminal must be placed at a good location under the view of the sky.
Download the app on your app store which is available for both Android and iOS users.
Unwrap the kit
Assembly and install the dish
Connect everything following the user guide
Connect to Starlink
Use the app on your device to manage and make monthly subscriptions.
How many devices can be connected to your Starlink?
Starlink works just like your normal wifi. It operates on any device whether android or iPhone. Yes! It can be monitored and the Starlink app says that its router can support up to 128 devices at once.
Conclusion
The adventure of Starlink in Nigeria is an amazing Innovation that will revolutionize Nigeria in the aspect of internet services. Although expensive, if it gives you the utmost satisfaction then it's worth the purchase. To achieve better internet services, rural communities can combine to deploy Starlink to their area.
