NCC: Starlink didn’t receive approval before data tariff increase
The action of the company appears to be a contravention of Sections 108 and 111 of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, and Starlink’s Licence Conditions regarding tariffs.
The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says the decision by Starlink to unilaterally review its subscription packages upwards did not receive the approval.
“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,” Reuben Muoka, the director of public affairs at NCC, said in a statement on Tuesday.
“The action of the company appears to be a contravention of Sections 108 and 111 of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003, and Starlink’s Licence 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.
In February 2023, former President Muhammadu Buhari announced that the country’s “broadband penetration is now 100 per cent following the deployment of Starlink services”.
The former president said the development has made Nigeria the first African country and the only one so far to enjoy the service rollout.
“We are delighted that Starlink services have been deployed in Nigeria,” the president said. “With this deployment of Starlink, we now have 100 per cent broadband penetration in Nigeria.”
