The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has retracted a previous statement where it mentioned that it did not approve Starlink’s recent price increase. Initially, the NCC had indicated that it would penalize the Satellite ISP for raising its subscription fees without obtaining regulatory consent first.
Following Starlink’s doubling of the base subscription rate and an increase in kit prices, the NCC issued a statement clarifying that the earlier announcement was made in error and requested media publications to retract it. Despite the price adjustments, Starlink remains the primary satellite internet provider in Nigeria, offering an alternative to conventional internet services, especially with rising inflation in the country.
According to the Nigerian Communications Act 2003, under Section 108, the NCC has the authority to regulate telecom tariffs, emphasizing that licensees must seek approval before adjusting their rates. This has been a contentious issue between the regulator and mobile network operators, with tariffs remaining unchanged for an extended period. The NCC has been reluctant to review tariff prices despite industry suggestions.