The Nigerian Communications Commission has announced that it will take action against Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, Starlink, for increasing its subscription prices in Nigeria without approval from the NCC.
The Director of Public Affairs for the NCC, Reuben Muoka, shared this information in a statement on Tuesday. He said Starlink raised its monthly subscription fee by 97%, increasing it from N38,000 to N75,000.
New customers will also face a higher cost for the Starlink kit, which is now priced at N590,000, up 34% from the previous price of N440,000.
Muoka explained that the NCC had not approved these price changes. He stated, “The decision by Starlink to unilaterally review its subscription packages upwards did not receive the approval of the Nigerian Communications Commission.”
He added that the NCC was “surprised” by the company’s announcement of the price changes. Starlink had previously filed a request with the NCC for a price adjustment, but the commission had not yet approved it.
Muoka continued, “The action of the company appears to be a contravention of Sections 108 and 111 of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, and Starlink’s Licence Conditions regarding tariffs.” He promised that the NCC would take “appropriate enforcement measures” against any actions that could harm the stability of the telecommunications industry.
According to Section 108 of the NCA 2003, the NCC has the authority to regulate telecom tariffs. This means that no service provider can charge customers without obtaining approval from the commission. Section 111 empowers the NCC to impose financial penalties on any provider that charges more than the approved rates.
Muoka concluded, “The commission shall prescribe and enforce appropriate financial penalties upon any holder of an individual licence who exceeds the tariff rates duly approved by the commission for the provision of any of its services.”
