Reporting by Channels TV indicates that SpaceX’s Starlink is planning a significant orbital adjustment in 2026, which involves lowering approximately 4,400 of its satellites to a closer Earth orbit. This technical shift is designed to further reduce ‘latency’—the delay in data transmission—making the satellite internet service more competitive for high-speed gaming, financial trading, and real-time medical consultations in remote areas like rural Nigeria.
The move is also seen as a proactive measure to address concerns about ‘space debris,’ as lower-orbiting satellites are more likely to burn up in the atmosphere at the end of their life cycle. For Nigerian users, this could mean even more stable connections, especially in regions where fiber optic cables are non-existent. Starlink has already become the leading ISP for rural businesses across West Africa.
Supporting coverage from TechCity and Leadership confirms the global impact. TechCity noted that ‘latency could drop to as low as 15ms,’ while Leadership quoted a Nigerian IT consultant: ‘Starlink is already changing the game for fintechs in the North; this will only make them faster.’
Echotitbits take: Starlink is effectively making traditional ISPs obsolete in the Nigerian hinterland. By lowering latency, they are attacking the last remaining advantage of ‘ground-based’ internet. Watch for a response from local telcos like MTN and Glo, who may lobby for ‘fair competition’ regulations as Starlink’s dominance grows.
Source: Channels TV – https://www.channelstv.com/2026/01/02/starlink-to-lower-4400-satellites-in-2026/ January 5, 2026
Photo Credit: Channels TV
