The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has declared that it will pursue its rights against Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, in response to a recent rise in subscription costs in Nigeria that was carried out without the necessary regulatory clearance.
Reuben Muoka, the NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, revealed in a statement that was made public on Tuesday that Starlink had increased its monthly subscription rate from ₦38,000 to ₦75,000, a 97% increase. The cost of the Starlink installation kit also went up, going from ₦440,000 to ₦590,000, a 34% increase.
Last week, Starlink notified consumers of the changes, stating that both existing and new users will be impacted. But the Nigerian regulator of the telecoms industry, NCC, made it clear that it had not approved the changes. “The decision by Starlink to unilaterally review its subscription packages upwards did not receive the approval of the Nigerian Communications Commission,” Muoka remarked.
He went on to say that Starlink had earlier filed a request for a pricing adjustment, which the NCC had not yet approved, therefore the commission was “surprised” by the change. Muoka continued, “The company’s actions seem to be in violation of Starlink’s licence conditions involving prices as well as Sections 108 and 111 of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003.
The NCC is mandated to regulate telecommunications tariffs under Section 108 of the NCA 2003, which prohibits licensees from imposing service charges without first obtaining commission approval for their tariff. The Act’s Section 111 gives the NCC further authority to impose financial. The Act’s Section 111 gives the NCC more authority to penalize licensees for exceeding permitted rates, highlighting the significance of adhering to regulations.
“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,” the Act states, “notwithstanding any other provision of this Act.”
The NCC has emphasized its commitment to preserving regulatory stability within the Nigerian telecommunications industry, although it has not yet disclosed the precise sanctions Starlink may face.