The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has accused satellite internet provider Starlink of violating the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003 by increasing subscription prices without prior regulatory approval.
The controversy began when Starlink announced a significant price hike, raising its standard monthly subscription by 97.37%, from ₦38,000 to ₦75,000. The NCC revealed that while Starlink had submitted a request for approval of the price adjustment, it implemented the new rates before receiving the commission’s decision.
Sources close to the matter disclosed that Starlink will receive an official letter from the NCC detailing its sanctions. “They submitted a request but went ahead before it was granted,” a source noted. Starlink is expected to respond, after which the NCC will determine further regulatory actions.
In response to the backlash, Starlink reversed the price increase, restoring the standard monthly subscription to ₦38,000. The reversal followed weeks of industry uproar and criticism from the NCC, which stated that the unapproved price changes contravened Sections 108 and 111 of the NCA 2003, as well as Starlink’s licensing conditions regarding tariffs.
The satellite company cited inflation as the reason for the price hike. In its earlier announcement, Starlink said: “Due to excessive levels of inflation, the Starlink monthly service price will increase as follows: Standard (Residential): ₦75,000; Mobile – Regional (Roam Unlimited): ₦167,000; Mobile – Global (Global Roam): ₦717,000.” These prices were scheduled to take effect for existing customers on October 31.
The incident has reignited discussions within Nigeria’s telecom sector, which has not implemented new tariff rates in over a decade. The NCC has maintained that price adjustments in the sector must undergo rigorous scrutiny to ensure affordability and fairness for consumers.
As the industry awaits the next regulatory steps, the case serves as a reminder of the importance of compliance with regulatory frameworks in Nigeria’s growing telecommunications market.
