By Favour Unukaso
THE Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has denied approving price hike for Elon Musk’s Starlink, for increasing its subscription price in Nigeria.
NCC in a statement on Tuesday said it came as a surprised to it and the country.
Recall that news broke at the weekend that Starlink had increased its subscription fees in the country to the chagrin of other players in the sector, especially the Internet Service Providers (ISPs). They accused NCC of double standard having denied other service providers, largely mobile network operators of tariff hike.
But the NCC’s Director of Public Affairs, Reuben Muoka, in the statement, a said the NCC did not approve Starlink’s price increment.
According to him, Starlink’s action contravened Sections 108 and 111 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, and its license conditions regarding tariffs.
Muoka in his response said the telecoms regulator was also surprised by the price increment implemented by Starlink.
“The decision by Starlink to unilaterally review their subscription packages upwards did not receive the approval of the Nigerian Communications Commission.
“We were surprised that the company jumped the gun by announcing price changes after filing a request to the Commission seeking approval for price adjustment for which the Commission was yet to communicate a decision.
“The action of the company appears to be a contravention of Sections 108 and 111 of the Nigerian Communications Act, 2003, and Starlink’s License Conditions regarding tariffs.
“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,” the DPA stated.
Indeed, Starlink last week increased monthly subscription for its internet service in Nigeria by 97 per cent from N38, 000 to N75, 000.
For new users, the company also increased the Starlink kits (hardware) by 34 per cent from N440, 000 to N590, 000.
The company in a message to its customers in Nigeria cited “excessive inflation” as the reason for the increment.