A satellite provider owned by SpaceX, Starlink, is under scrutiny by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) for raising subscription fees without proper approval.
According to a source familiar with the situation, Starlink requested approval from the regulator for the fee increase but implemented it before receiving a response.
On October 1, 2024, Starlink informed customers of a 100% subscription fee raise due to inflation. The NCC intervened and instructed Starlink to revert the price hike, which the company complied with shortly after.
An NCC insider mentioned that regulatory actions may not be limited to fines and that Starlink will be notified of potential sanctions. The company will have the opportunity to respond before any decisions are made, which could include fines, warnings, or no action if no violations are found. A resolution is expected within two weeks.
Starlink entered the Nigerian market in 2023 and currently serves 23,897 active subscribers. Despite concerns from some telecom executives about regulatory leniency towards Starlink’s lack of physical presence, an unnamed NCC representative clarified that the company has met some of the mandated requirements.
The NCC staff member stated, “Starlink has already established three landing stations out of the five required by the NCC. While satellite services may not demand extensive physical presence, Starlink is making efforts in Nigeria beyond other African regions.”