The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has vowed to take action against Elon Musk’s Starlink for increasing its subscription prices in Nigeria without regulatory approval.
This move comes after stakeholders accused the NCC of applying double standards, allowing Starlink’s price hike while denying local telecom operators the same privilege.
According to Dr. Reuben Muoka, NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Starlink’s action contravenes Sections 108 and 111 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, and its license conditions regarding tariffs.
“The decision by Starlink to unilaterally review their subscription packages upwards did not receive the approval of the Nigerian Communications Commission,” Muoka stated.
Starlink recently increased its monthly subscription by 97% from N38,000 to N75,000, while new users will have to pay 34% more for Starlink kits (hardware), now priced at N590,000, up from N440,000.
The company cited “excessive inflation” as the reason for the increment.
The NCC said It will take appropriate measures against any licensee who undermines the regulatory stability of the telecommunications industry.
“The Commission will therefore take appropriate enforcement measures against any action by a licensee that is capable of eroding the regulatory stability of the telecommunications industry,” Muoka warned.
Meanwhile, local telecom operators, under the auspices of the Association of Licensed Telecommunications Operators of Nigeria (ALTON) and the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON), have been pushing for a tariff review. They argue that the telecom industry is the only sector that hasn’t adjusted prices despite rising inflation and economic pressures.
